Targeting RSV with Vaccines and Small Molecule Drugs

• Published in: Infectious disorders drug targets Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 110 - 128
• Main Authors: Costello, Heather M, Ray, William C, Chaiwatpongsakorn, Supranee, Peeples, Mark E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Arab Emirates Bentham Science Publishers Ltd 01.04.2012
• Subjects: Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Models, Molecular; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - drug therapy; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - immunology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - prevention & control; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - therapy; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines - pharmacology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines - therapeutic use; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - immunology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - physiology; Viral Fusion Proteins - immunology
• ISSN: 1871-5265; 2212-3989
• DOI: 10.2174/187152612800100143

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most significant cause of pediatric respiratory infections. Palivizumab (Synagis®), a humanized monoclonal antibody, has been used successfully for a number of years to prevent severe RSV disease in at-risk infants. However, despite intense efforts, there is no approved vaccine or small molecule drug for RSV. As an enveloped virus, RSV must fuse its envelope with the host cell membrane, which is accomplished through the actions of the fusion (F) glycoprotein, with attachment help from the G glycoprotein. Because of their integral role in initiation of infection and their accessibility outside the lipid bilayer, these proteins have been popular targets in the discovery and development of antiviral compounds and vaccines against RSV. This review examines advances in the development of antiviral compounds and vaccine candidates.