Focus on COVID-19: Antiviral polymers in drugs and vaccines

Pathogenic viral factors pose a serious epidemiological threat and challenge to the world population, as proven by the scale and rapidity of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Polymer macromolecules can be an alternative to the accepted forms of treatment. Polymeric substances can be used as drugs or as adjuvants in vaccines. The most important feature of polymers is their advanced structure and the ability to construct the molecule from scratch, giving it the desired properties. Antiviral properties are influenced by, among other things, electrical charge, form and structure, and composition with other polymers or heavy metals. Depending on the expected properties, molecules can be built from scratch to be capable of transporting drugs or improve the effectiveness of the right drug. They can also be antiviral drugs in themselves. Polymeric compounds allow to reduce the frequency of adverse effects and improve the effect of the drug. They can have a direct antiviral effect by upsetting the lipid membrane of the surrounding viruses. Antiviral action of polymers occurs because of the properties of the polymers alone or in combination with other molecules. Viral epidemics are a motivation for research that can help stop a global pandemic in the future.