Antisense approaches for inhibiting respiratory syncytial virus

Author: Hagen Cramer

Source: Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, Volume 5, Number 2, 1 February 2005 , pp. 207-220(14)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Key:

- Free Content

- New Content

- Subscribed Content

- Free Trial Content

Abstract:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continues as an emerging infectious disease not only among infants and children, but also for the immune-suppressed, hospitalised and the elderly. To date, ribavirin (Virazole®, ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) remains the only therapeutic agent approved for the treatment of RSV. However, its clinical benefits are small and occur only in a fraction of RSV-infected patients. The prophylactic administration of palivizumab (Synagis™, MedImmune, Inc.) is problematic and costly and, therefore, only recommended for use in high-risk infants. Clearly, the need for an effective and safe drug remains high. This review discusses several different antisense approaches and compares them with traditional strategies, such as RSV-targeting antibodies and antivirals, as well as developments in vaccine research.

Keywords: 2-5A; 2-5A antisense; antisense; antivirals; aptamer; interferon; oligonucleotide; oligodeoxyribonucleotide; palivizumab; phosphorothioate; ribavirin; RNase L; siRNA