Antiviral drugs: present status and future prospects

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Limited availability of effective antiviral therapies necessitates a comprehensive understanding of viral infections.
• Advancements in analytical techniques have improved insights into viral replication, including that of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• A thorough grasp of the viral multiplication cycle is crucial for developing targeted antiviral strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present currently available antiviral drugs categorized by their mechanism of action.
• To elucidate the relationship between drug action and the viral multiplication cycle.
• To review clinical applications, side effects, and the current therapeutic role of antiviral agents, alongside promising investigational drugs.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on antiviral drugs and viral replication cycles.
• Classification of antiviral agents based on their specific targets within the viral multiplication process.
• Synthesis of information regarding clinical efficacy, adverse events, and future therapeutic prospects.

Main Results:

• Antiviral drugs are presented according to their mode of action, linked to distinct phases of the viral multiplication cycle.
• Clinical utility, associated side effects, and current therapeutic positioning of established antivirals are discussed.
• Promising investigational antiviral compounds are highlighted, indicating potential future treatment options.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the viral multiplication cycle is key to classifying and developing antiviral drugs.
• Current antiviral therapies have defined roles, but limitations and side effects necessitate ongoing research.
• Investigational antivirals show promise for expanding future therapeutic options against viral infections.