The annual economic damage caused by influenza alone is estimated to reach 71 to 167 billion US dollars (USD). AVRIs furthermore have a huge economic impact being a leading cause for lost working days. These numbers prompted the WHO to launch the "Battle against Respiratory Viruses" initiative. Even before the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) emerged in late 2019, AVRIs were amongst the top five causes of death worldwide resulting in an estimated 3.9 million lives lost every year. This progress report discusses the selection of antiviral siRNA sequences, delivery techniques to the infection sites, and provides an overview of antiviral siRNAs against respiratory viruses.Īcute viral respiratory tract infections (AVRIs) are a major burden on human health and global economy.
Currently, siRNA formulations and chemical modifications are evaluated for their delivery.
Unfortunately, delivering siRNAs to their target cells and intracellular site of action remains the principle hurdle toward their therapeutic use. In addition, viral infection can be averted prophylactically by silencing host genes essential for host–viral interactions. siRNA sequences against conserved, essential regions of the viral genome can prevent viral replication. However, the innate RNAi pathway offers the ability to develop nucleic acid‐based antiviral drugs. Despite the prevalence of AVRIs and an urgent need, no vaccines-except for influenza-or effective treatments were available at the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic. In addition, new emerging respiratory viruses regularly cause outbreaks such as SARS‐CoV‐1 in 2003, the "Swine flu" in 2009, or most importantly the ongoing SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, which intensely impact global health, social life, and economy. Acute viral respiratory tract infections (AVRIs) are a major burden on human health and global economy and amongst the top five causes of death worldwide resulting in an estimated 3.9 million lives lost every year.
0 kommentar(er)
