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[Prospects and current data in antiviral chemotherapy]
J M Huraux1, D Ingrand, H Agut
1Lab. de Bactériologie-Virologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpétrière, Paris.
Revue De Pneumologie Clinique
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Developing new antiviral drugs faces challenges like cytotoxicity and viral resistance. Latent infections remain difficult to treat, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies against viral multiplication.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Advances in understanding viral multiplication cycles and the emergence of AIDS have driven antiviral drug development.
- Current antiviral chemotherapy faces significant obstacles impacting efficacy and safety.
Purpose:
- To review the challenges in antiviral chemotherapy.
- To discuss limitations of current antiviral agents and explore potential future strategies.
Summary:
- Most antiviral drugs exhibit cytotoxicity, unlike acyclovir, which is selectively activated.
- Viral enzyme mutations can lead to drug resistance, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- Latent viral infections, characterized by inactive multiplication, are not eradicable by current antiviral drugs, though antisense oligonucleotides show theoretical promise.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for safer and more effective antiviral agents.
- Identifies key challenges including drug resistance and latent infections.
- Suggests avenues for future research, such as antisense oligonucleotides for latent viral infections.