Nasopharyngeal Type-I Interferon for Immediately Available Prophylaxis Against Emerging Respiratory Viral Infections

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Emerging respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, pose ongoing threats.
• A delayed or suppressed type 1 interferon (IFN-I) response is observed in COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections (e.g., SARS, MERS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a rationale for developing intranasal interferon beta (IFN-β) as a prophylactic or early intervention for emerging respiratory viral infections.
• To support the development of IFN-β with existing basic science and clinical trial data.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature and clinical trial data on interferon beta and respiratory viral infections.
• Analysis of the role of type 1 interferon responses in viral pathogenesis.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests that a suppressed early type 1 interferon response is a common feature of severe respiratory viral infections.
• Intranasal IFN-β has shown potential as a readily available intervention.

Conclusions:

• Intranasal interferon beta (IFN-β) warrants consideration as a prophylactic or early treatment for novel respiratory viral infections.
• IFN-β prophylaxis could mitigate the impact of emerging respiratory viruses in at-risk populations during vaccine development timelines.