Combating emerging viral threats

Abstract

Synopsis Most approved antiviral therapeutics selectively inhibit proteins encoded by a single virus, thereby providing a “one drug-one bug” solution. As a result of this narrow spectrum of coverage and the high cost of drug development, therapies are currently approved for fewer than ten viruses out of the hundreds known to cause human disease. This perspective summarizes progress and challenges in the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapies. These strategies include targeting enzymatic functions shared by multiple viruses and host cell machinery by newly discovered compounds or by repurposing approved drugs. These approaches offer new practical means for developing therapeutics against existing and emerging viral threats.

Azithromycin Inhibits the Replication of Zika Virus

“…Antiviral drugs showed absence of efficacy against recently emerging viruses [11,45]. Our work and previous studies open a new field in the fight against arboviruses, including ZIKV [46].…”

Inhibitors of retrograde trafficking active against ricin and Shiga toxins also protect cells from several viruses, Leishmania and Chlamydiales

“…anthrax letters in 2001 or ricin letters to president Obama more recently) (3). These events led to an increased awareness of health authorities for intensification of research into the development of medical countermeasures for a wide range of biothreat agents, either naturally emerging or deliberately introduced as an act of bioterrorism (4).…”

Human DDX3 protein is a valuable target to develop broad spectrum antiviral agents

“…Although therapeutically highly successful, direct-acting antivirals are still suffering shortcomings, such as drug resistance, poor adherence in selected patient groups, and associated toxicity (1,2). In addition, virtually no broad spectrum antivirals are currently available.…”