The countermeasure for Zika virus: a hard nut to be cracked. (19th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Usman, Sana; Naz, Zara; Saleem, Komal; Bashir, Hamid; Bilal, Muhammad; Sumrin, Aleena
• Is Part Of: Future virology. Volume 13:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 369
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19
• Subjects: BCX4430 -- CPE -- monoclonal antibodies -- nanchangmycin -- NITD008 -- NSC -- T705 -- 7DMA; Virology -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.9101
• DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2018-0018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0794

Abstract

The emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in America has caused a new threat worldwide, as it is linked with the increased incidence of congenital microcephaly in neonates and development of Guillain–Barré syndrome. A number of potential antiviral drugs such as sofosbuvir, BCX4430, NITD008 and 7-DMA have shown activity against ZIKV both in vitro and in vivo. Similarly, different research organizations and academic institutions are trying hard to develop a vaccine against the ZIKV. Some of these groups have received approval from the US FDA to start Phase I clinical trials. Immuno-based treatment strategies, such as use of humanized monoclonal antibodies (hE16 and CR4373) have also entered clinical trials. However, a licensed vaccine is still a long way off and efforts should be made to accelerate the evaluation procedures while minimizing the delay in licensing.