New concepts of antiviral therapy

Abstract

Antiviral drugs are important tools for treatment or prevention of viral infections. Originally used for monotherapy, today combinations of antiviral agents are increasingly part of a standard treatment as evidenced by e.g. HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy). However, in almost every case of antiviral therapy, drug resistant viruses appear. In addition, the low oral bioavailability, toxicity and the number of severe side effects still pose significant problems. All of the latter issues limit the clinical usefulness and drive the need for improved antiviral strategies. These strategies include new drugs and targets, novel modes of action, vector-based treatments and even the blocking of defined genes by inhibiting mRNA formation (siRNA).