Broad-spectrum host-targeting antivirals for rhinovirus infections: mechanisms and future perspectives

Rhinovirus is the main pathogen causing common colds, acute exacerbations of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory diseases. Due to its numerous serotypes and the lack of common conserved viral targets, the development of traditional direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) faces challenges. Host-targeting antivirals (HTAs), as an emerging strategy, provide a new approach to overcome this difficulty by interfering with the host cell factors or pathways necessary for viral replication. This review systematically presents the latest progress in host-targeted rhinovirus therapy by focusing on numerous host factors involved in rhinovirus invasion, attachment, biosynthesis, assembly and release, and immune regulation. Although the prospects are broad, the clinical transformation of this strategy still faces challenges such as safety, delivery efficiency, and individual differences. In conclusion, HTAs are expected to become a transformative treatment strategy for rhinovirus infection, especially for high-risk patient groups.