Antisense approaches for inhibiting respiratory syncytial virus.
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.
Cramer
Hagen
H
Ridgeway Biosystems, Inc., 9500 Euclid Avenue, ND-50, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. cramerh@ridgewaybio.com
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000235:genetics*
D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense