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Using Zebrafish Models of Human Influenza A Virus Infections to Screen Antiviral Drugs and Characterize Host Immune Cell Responses
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Therapeutics against influenza

Elena A Govorkova1, Jonathan A McCullers

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA. elena.govorkova@stjude.org

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|January 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Influenza virus therapeutics have seen slow progress but accelerated recently. New antiviral strategies and host-pathogen interaction targets promise significant changes in influenza treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Influenza viruses remain significant global health threats despite extensive research.
  • Therapeutic development for influenza has historically been slow but has accelerated in the last 20 years.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current state and future directions of influenza therapeutics.
  • To highlight emerging strategies beyond traditional antiviral medications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing and investigational antiviral medications for influenza.
  • Exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting viral mechanisms and host responses.

Main Results:

  • Current antiviral medications have limitations in scope and effectiveness.
  • New antiviral compounds are in clinical development, and novel strategies are being explored.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza therapy is poised for substantial evolution, driven by advancements in pathogenesis understanding and clinical validation.
  • Future treatments may involve combination therapies, alternative delivery methods, and host-directed interventions.

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