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Home / Equine Research Bank / Biosecur Bioterror / Alphavirus antiviral drug development: scientific gap analys...
Biosecurity and bioterrorism : biodefense strategy, practice, and science2009; 7(4); 413-427; doi: 10.1089/bsp.2009.0032

Alphavirus antiviral drug development: scientific gap analysis and prospective research areas.

Abstract: The New World alphaviruses Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), and western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) pose a significant threat to human health as the etiological agents of serious viral encephalitis through natural infection as well as through their potential use as a biological weapon. At present, there is no FDA-approved medical treatment for infection with these viruses. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (DTRA/JSTO), is currently funding research aimed at developing antiviral drugs and vaccines against VEEV, EEEV, and WEEV. A review of antiviral drug discovery efforts for these viruses revealed significant gaps in the data, assays, and models required for successful drug development. This review provides a description of these gaps and highlights specific critical research areas for the development of a target-based drug discovery program for the VEEV, EEEV, and WEEV nonstructural proteins. These efforts will increase the probability of the successful development of a pharmaceutical intervention against these viral threat agents.
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Publication Date: 2009-12-24 PubMed ID: 20028250DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2009.0032Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study outlines the existing challenges and gaps in the development of drugs and vaccines against the New World alphaviruses, specifically Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), and western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV), which cause serious viral encephalitis in humans. It emphasizes the need for a targeted drug discovery program for these viruses and proposes specific research areas to work on for a more successful pursuit of an effective pharmaceutical solution.

Introduction

  • The study starts with an introduction discussing the significance of New World alphaviruses (VEEV, EEEV, and WEEV) on human health. These viruses cause serious viral encephalitis. The research further emphasizes these viruses could be potentially used as biological weapons, underscoring the importance of developing effective treatment options.
  • So far, no FDA-approved treatment for these viruses is available, which signifies a wide space for research and development in this field.
  • The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, in partnership with Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense, is currently funding such research.

The Present Situation and Challenges

  • A review of past and current antiviral drug discovery efforts for these viruses was carried out, which unearthed significant gaps related to data, assays, and models used for drug development.
  • These gaps likely hinder the successful development of antiviral drugs, indicating that the current methods and approaches used in researching these viruses need major improvement.

Potential Research Areas and Solutions

  • The paper further details the critical research areas that need to be tackled to fill these gaps, specifically the need for a targeted drug discovery program centered on the VEEV, EEEV, and WEEV nonstructural proteins.
  • Such target-based programs are crucial to accurately understand the nature and behavior of these viruses, which, in turn, will guide the development of successful pharmaceutical interventions.
  • The researchers posit that these targeted research efforts will substantially increase the chances of developing a successful treatment against these viral threat agents.

In summary, this research paper critically appraises the ineffective ways in which alphavirus drug development has been approached and puts forth potential research areas and solutions to drive the development of a more effective pharmaceutical intervention.

Cite This Article

APA
Reichert E, Clase A, Bacetty A, Larsen J. (2009). Alphavirus antiviral drug development: scientific gap analysis and prospective research areas. Biosecur Bioterror, 7(4), 413-427. https://doi.org/10.1089/bsp.2009.0032

Publication

Biosecurity and bioterrorism : biodefense strategy, practice, and science
ISSN: 1557-850X
NlmUniqueID: 101156085
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 4
Pages: 413-427

Researcher Affiliations

Reichert, Erin
  • Biological Therapeutics, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-6201, USA.
Clase, Amanda
    Bacetty, Ada
      Larsen, Joseph

        MeSH Terms

        • Alphavirus / drug effects
        • Antiviral Agents / supply & distribution
        • Drug Discovery / organization & administration
        • Humans
        • Research / legislation & jurisprudence
        • Research Design

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