title: A review of palivizumab and emerging therapies for respiratory syncytial virus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important pathogen in children and adults; however, current treatment options are primarily supportive. Palivizumab, the only approved specific monoclonal antibody for RSV is used prophylactically to reduce morbidity in a select population of high-risk children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The development and current use of palivizumab; the potential role of palivizumab as preventive therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis, asthma and compromised immune systems; and explores the limited research in which palivizumab has been used for treatment of RSV. The modified recommendations for the use of palivizumab espoused by the American Academy of Pediatrics and research on the cost-effectiveness of this product are presented. In addition, the authors discuss the development of enhanced monoclonal antibodies including motavizumab, which was recently denied FDA approval for preventative therapy. The authors explore the historical and current efforts to develop a vaccine targeting RSV. The current status of antiviral drug development is also reviewed. The literature search included RSV-Ig, palivizumab, and emerging drugs and vaccines for the treatment of RSV as keywords and titles from 1997 to 2011.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there are potential drugs and vaccines in development to prevent or reduce the effects of RSV infection, palivizumab remains the only licensed product to reduce the severity of disease in high-risk pediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics, 600 Highland Avenue, Box 4108, Madison, WI 53792, USA. kshadman@pediatrics.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Shadman
authors.forename: Ellen R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Wald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000069455:Palivizumab; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014765:Viral Vaccines
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D000069455:Palivizumab