Determination of the genotoxic potential of remdesivir and its possible influences on the expression of genes related to the cell cycle and apoptosis

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global search for effective treatments, leading to the exploration of drug repurposing strategies. This approach seeks to reuse existing medicines for emerging diseases. Studies have investigated the potential of drugs like Remdesivir in treating COVID-19. However, assessing the genotoxicity of medicines is crucial in pharmaceutical development to ensure they do not harm DNA. Common tests for this purpose are the Comet Assay and the Micronucleus Test. This study evaluated the genotoxic potential of Remdesivir in mice using the Comet Assay, which revealed genotoxic effects in all groups tested, mainly after 48 hours of exposure, the Micronucleus Test, which also showed genotoxicity in some groups and demonstrated cytotoxicity in all the cases. Molecular tests indicated an increase in the expression of the p53 gene, suggesting a response to genetic damage caused by Remdesivir and activation of DNA repair mechanisms. Furthermore, a decrease in bcl-2 gene expression implied a possible genotoxicity potential. These results raise concerns about the genetic safety of Remdesivir. Data suggests that Remdesivir may damage genetic material in mice. However, more research is needed to comprehensively understand the risks and benefits of Remdesivir, particularly in long-term patient settings.