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Published on: October 11, 2013
Repurposing Small-molecule Inhibitors against Bunyaviruses: Advances, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Prospects
Zhiqiang Liu1, Guoliang Chen1, Wu Zhong2
1School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Drug repurposing and high-throughput screening accelerate the discovery of new antiviral drugs for Bunyaviricetes, such as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus. This approach offers cost-effective solutions to combat dangerous viral infections and overcome drug resistance.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Bunyaviricetes, including Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV), Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), and Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV), are significant global health threats.
- These viruses exhibit high mortality rates and currently lack specific approved therapeutics.
- Antiviral drug resistance and the high cost of novel drug development necessitate alternative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in developing candidate drugs against bunyaviruses using high-throughput screening and drug repurposing.
- To summarize the mechanisms of action for candidate drugs targeting both viral and host cellular processes.
- To explore future trends in small-molecule antiviral drug development for bunyaviruses.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput screening (HTS) for identifying potential antiviral compounds.
- Drug repurposing strategies to identify existing drugs with activity against bunyaviruses.
- Review of scientific literature on candidate drugs and their mechanisms of action.
Main Results:
- Progress has been made in identifying candidate drugs through HTS and drug repurposing.
- Candidate drugs target various viral and host cell mechanisms essential for viral replication.
- This review consolidates current knowledge on therapeutic strategies against bunyaviruses.
Conclusions:
- Drug repurposing and HTS are promising, cost-effective approaches for bunyavirus drug discovery.
- Understanding drug mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutics.
- Continued research into small-molecule antivirals is vital for addressing the threat of bunyaviruses.
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