Hyderabad, June 25: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, have made an important breakthrough in research that could help fight Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle and Mpox in humans.
The research team has identified a promising treatment approach by using Lapatinib, a medicine already approved for treating certain types of cancer. With the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), scientists found that the drug may stop the viruses from multiplying inside the body.
AI Helps Identify an Existing Drug
Researchers used AI technology to study the structure of a viral protein known as LSTK. They then tested 88 FDA-approved kinase inhibitor drugs to see which one could block the virus.
Among all the medicines tested, Lapatinib showed the best results in blocking the viral protein responsible for the infection.
Scientists say this discovery could open the way for faster development of treatments because the medicine is already approved for human use against cancer.
More Research Needed
The findings are currently based on computer-based analysis. Scientists will now carry out laboratory studies to confirm whether the medicine works effectively against Lumpy Skin Disease and Mpox before it can be considered for wider use.
The researchers also believe the drug may be useful against other pox viruses, including the virus that causes smallpox.
Published in an International Journal
The study has been published in the international journal Computers in Biology and Medicine.
The research team includes Dr. Amanchi Srinivas, Racha Vaishnavi, Anmol Sinha, Apara Chenkalvala, Julie Gupta, Nalla Sai Kumar, Bhamidipati Pranav, and Yedla Poornachandra.
What is Lumpy Skin Disease?
Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral infection that affects cattle and buffaloes. It spreads mainly through mosquitoes, flies, and other blood-feeding insects.
Although it does not infect humans, it causes serious illness in animals and leads to heavy financial losses for dairy farmers due to reduced milk production and livestock deaths.
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads from infected animals to humans and can also spread through close contact between people.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Body pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Painful skin rashes or blisters
Most patients recover within two to four weeks, but severe cases may require medical treatment. The IICT team’s discovery marks an important step in virus research. By using AI to identify a cancer drug that may also fight Lumpy Skin Disease and Mpox, scientists have opened a promising path for future treatments. However, laboratory testing and further research are still needed before the drug can be used for these diseases.