Antiviral therapeutic approaches for human rhinovirus infections

Casanova, Victor; Sousa, Filipa H; Stevens, Craig; Barlow, Peter G

Drugs based on Poly I:C or derivatives are being developed as broad-spectrum antivirals and potential adjuvants for DC-targeted vaccines. Poly I:C stabilized with poly-l-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose, known as poly-ICLC, has shown efficacy against viruses such as influenza [129] and is also being tested in an HIV vaccine trial (Oncovir, Inc. and Dalton Pharma Services, ON, Canada). PIKA (NewBiomed PIKA Pte Ltd, Singapore), a chemically stabilized analog of Poly I:C also reduced influenza virus load in the lungs of infected mice [130] . While its antiviral effects hold promise for treatment of RV infection, delivery of Poly I:C can, in some instances, lead to increased bacterial replication (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus) and impaired clearance from the lungs due to prolonged interferon signaling [131, 132] . Given that RV is frequently associated with increased secondary bacterial infections, especially in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other underlying morbidities, further work is required to determine whether Poly I:C or stabilized analogs are safe as antiviral therapeutics for RV infection.