Old osteoporosis drug may help in killing flu viruses
By Tan Ee Lyn
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A old osteoporosis drug may be effective in killing a range of influenza viruses, including ones that are very dangerous to people like the H5N1 bird flu virus, scientists in Hong Kong reported on Wednesday.
Unlike antiviral drugs that target and mute flu viruses, the drug pamidronate boosts a certain class of human immune cells and sets them off on a killing spree to exterminate host cells that are infected with flu viruses.
The experts, who published their findings in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, described the immune cells — called gamma-delta T-cells — as being able to recognize host cells that are infected with flu viruses. They punch holes through the membrane of the infected cells, then secrete and inject an enzyme into the cells, killing them.
