Research points to new shingles treatments

New treatments for shingles and cold sores could be developed following a discovery by scientists at La Trobe University and a Melbourne drug company, Wintermute Biomedical.

Researchers have developed a new treatment formula, known as GS-1, that could reduce the symptoms and contagiousness of the viruses behind shingles and cold sores. 

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) and Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV) infect more than 66% of the population, causing a significant global health concern. 

There is no vaccine for HSV and limited use of the shingles vaccine due to availability, awareness, and cost. Existing antiviral drugs for each condition must be used early to be effective and are prone to drug resistance. 

Lead researcher, Dr Ebony Monson, from the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences said the GS-1 formula targeted the viruses before they began replicating, through a novel mechanism of binding directly to viral particles and blocking viral entry into host cells. 

The discovery, published in the journal, Antiviral Research, showed GS-1 may reduce viral shedding, severity of infections, and transmission, making the diseases less contagious. 

“The impact of this research is significant, as GS-1 could offer an effective means of controlling the spread of these viral infections,” Dr Monson said. 

Current treatments for VSV and HSV primarily consist of oral or topical antivirals that target viral DNA replication. While these therapies can reduce symptom duration, they do little to decrease acute pain and discomfort and must be started at the first signs of symptoms. 

Senior researcher, Professor Karla Helbig, said these limitations highlighted critical gaps in treatments for the viruses.

Kim Sullivan has been managing shingles for about 20 years and breaks out up to three times a year. She has tried every treatment on the market, including vaccines and antivirals to help reduce the impact of the condition and improve her recovery time.

In the worst cases, a breakout can leave her bedridden for weeks and she feels like she has a bad flu. 

Kim, 55, said a new treatment to ease the symptoms would be a huge benefit for shingles sufferers. 

“It’s such a common illness now and people don’t realise that if you start getting it in your 50s, it flares up and it can change your lifestyle,” she said. 

“So, if this treatment has the potential to ease the pain and symptoms that would be fantastic.” 

The study showed GS-1 blocked viral entry in both tissue culture cells and on human skin samples, an important step in preclinical lab tests. 

GS-1 has entered clinical trials to develop a topical treatment for shingles patients. 

Wintermute Biomedical chief scientific officer, Dr Alyce Mayfosh, said it was hoped the trial would strengthen the case for a new treatment to address the pain of shingles. 

“Thousands of adults suffer intense pain and discomfort from shingles,” Dr Mayfosh said. “These findings suggest that GS-1 inhibits the shingles virus through a novel mechanism, unlike any other existing antiviral for shingles. 

“We are now progressing toward registration of a new topical therapy specifically designed to address shingles and the associated pain.”