What is the future for ribavirin outside of hepatitis C?.

Fiche publication


Date publication

mars 2009

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Dr JEULIN Hélène


Tous les auteurs :
Jeulin H, Kedzierewicz F, Grancher N, Venard V

Résumé

Most of emerging and re-emerging diseases are due to RNA viruses and available drugs are insufficient. Currently the ribavirin is only licensed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection, whereas this guanosin analogue has a broad-spectrum in vitro activity against many DNA and RNA viruses. It was consequently used as a last resort, in emergency state like avian influenza or in front of new viruses (SARS). The strategies for development of new antiviral drugs are usually based on virus structure and properties. In regard to recent development of chemical vector designed for improving drug bioavailability, use of former drug, like ribavirin, could be reconsidered. For example, complexation of ribavirin with cyclodextrins, cyclic oligosaccharide vectors, can improve its bioavailability in central nervous system and improve encephalitis treatment.

Référence

Virologie. 2009 Mar-apr;13(2):83-92.