Influenza Virus Entry inhibitors

Influenza is a major challenge to health and the global economy. However, the increasing emergence of drug resistance during influenza pandemics cannot be ignored. It is particularly important to design and develop anti-influenza drugs with novel mechanisms of action for the treatment and prevention of influenza virus infections. Virus entry is the first essential step in the viral life cycle, the prevention of which leads to suppression of viral infectivity and is an attractive antiviral strategy. Here, we review the development of influenza entry inhibitors and their performance in clinical trials, including small molecule, natural product, peptide-based entry inhibitors, and other types of entry inhibitors, herein discussing some open questions. Assay methods of influenza virus entry inhibitors are also outlined.