RNAi to treat SARS‐CoV‐2—variant proofing the next generation of therapies

• Published in: EMBO molecular medicine Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. e15811 - n/a
• Main Authors: McMillan, Nigel A J, Morris, Kevin V, Idris, Adi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 07.04.2022; EMBO Press; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Springer Nature
• Subjects: Animals; Antiviral agents; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - therapy; CRISPR; Drugs; EMBO08; EMBO23; News & Views; RNA Interference; RNA polymerase; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; RNA, Small Interfering - pharmacology; RNA, Small Interfering - therapeutic use; RNA-mediated interference; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; siRNA; Views; Virus Replication; Viruses
• ISSN: 1757-4676; 1757-4684
• DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202215811

There is an urgent need to bring new antivirals to SARS‐CoV‐2 to the market. Indeed, in the last 3 months, we have seen at least two new antivirals approved, molnupiravir and paxlovid. Both are older established antivirals that show some efficacy against SARS‐CoV‐2. The work by Chang et al (2022) in the current issue of EMBO Molecular Medicine explores the use of short interfering RNAs to directly target SARS‐CoV‐2 and shows that RNAi is an effective approach to reducing, or even eliminating viral replication, depending on the experimental setting. This antiviral effect results in significant prevention of infection‐related pathology in animals. The key feature of this approach, besides its simplicity as naked siRNAs, is that all current variants are covered by this treatment. Graphical Abstract N. McMillan, K. Morris, and A. Idris discuss development of RNAi‐based therapy against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection as reported by PC. Yang and colleagues, in this issue of EMBO Mol Med .