Innovations in Infectious Disease Therapeutics Field
Innovations in Infectious Disease Therapeutics Field
New Developments in Antiviral Drug Discovery
Viruses are constantly evolving and finding new ways to evade our immune systems and existing treatments. This makes developing effective antiviral drugs an ongoing challenge. Researchers are making progress, however, with several new and promising antiviral agents in development.
One area of focus is on developing pan-antiviral drugs that can target different types of viruses. These broad-spectrum antivirals hold potential as treatments for viruses with no approved therapies as well as emerging viruses. Several candidates are being evaluated that block viral fusion or entry into host cells. These include EIDD-2801, which is in clinical trials for influenza. EIDD-2801 works by inhibiting RNA replication of influenza and many other respiratory viruses.
Other pan-antiviral approaches involve activating innate immune defenses. RVX-208 is a small molecule that enhances the cellular antiviral response mediated by RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs). In animal studies, RVX-208 showed protection against a variety of viruses including influenza, Ebola and Marburg. It could serve as a contingency treatment for outbreaks of unknown viruses. Toll-like receptor agonists also activate innate immunity and may have broad antiviral potential.
New Infectious Disease Therapeutics Target Hepatitis C and HIV
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can now be cured in over 95% of cases with all-oral direct-acting antiviral regimens. Second-generation pangenotypic regimens that work against all major HCV genotypes are revolutionizing treatment. However, challenges remain including how to increase access to care and develop affordable therapies for developing countries where HCV remains largely untreated. Researchers are also working on preventative HCV vaccines, which could help curb future infections.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has been transformed by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Howev