Aspects of Antiviral Strategies Based on Different Phototherapy Approaches: Hit by the Light

Area of Science:

• Photomedicine
• Virology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Emerging viral threats like SARS-CoV-2 underscore the need for novel antiviral treatments.
• Phototherapy (PT), a light-based treatment, is explored for its potential against diverse diseases.
• Existing research demonstrates PT's efficacy in various viral infections, including respiratory and systemic viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of phototherapy in combating viral infections.
• To summarize current advancements in photodynamic, photothermal, and photoacoustic antiviral therapies.
• To highlight PT's virucidal effects on systemic and emerging viruses.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on phototherapy applications in virology.
• Analysis of photodynamic, photothermal, and photoacoustic mechanisms against viruses.
• Examination of PT's effectiveness against specific viral families and pandemic strains.

Main Results:

• Phototherapy demonstrates virucidal effects on systemic viruses like HIV and human herpesviruses (HHV8).
• PT shows potential for disinfection against noroviruses and pandemic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
• The review consolidates evidence for PT's broad-spectrum antiviral capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Phototherapy presents a viable, accessible, and rapidly deployable strategy for antiviral treatment.
• PT's mechanisms, including photodynamic, photothermal, and photoacoustic effects, offer versatile approaches to viral inactivation.
• Further research into PT modalities could lead to effective treatments for current and future viral pandemics.