title: A phase II study of DAS181, a novel host directed antiviral for the treatment of influenza infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  DAS181, a novel host-directed antiviral in development for influenza treatment, was assessed in this phase II clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial assessing influenza viral load and patient safety in otherwise healthy influenza-infected participants. Participants were randomized to a single-dose, multiple-dose, or placebo group and were followed for safety and virologic outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 177 laboratory-confirmed influenza-infected participants were enrolled in the trial, which encompassed 3 influenza seasons from 2009-2011 in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Thirty-seven percent of participants had confirmed infection with influenza B, 33% with seasonal H3N2, 29% with pandemic 2009 H1N1, and 1 participant was positive for both influenza B and pandemic 2009 H1N1. Significant effects were observed in regard to decreased change from baseline viral load and viral shedding in the multiple-dose group compared with placebo as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (P < .05). No instances of H274Y were observed among viral isolates from this trial. Overall, the drug was generally well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DAS181 significantly reduced viral load in participants infected with influenza, thus warranting future clinical development of this novel host-directed therapy. CLINICAL TRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01037205.
authors.affiliation: NexBio Inc, San Diego California 92121, USA. rmoss@nexbio.com
authors.forename: Ronald B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.forename: Tiejun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Roy T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Steigbigel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010919:Placebos; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C525612:oplunofusp