Drug Targets in Rhinoviral Infections

Gernot      Rohde

Abstract

Human Rhinoviruses (HRV) are by far the most common respiratory viruses responsible for most cases of the common cold and important pathogens in acute exacerbations of asthma and COPD. The molecular pathogenesis of HRV infection is quite completely understood. However there is still no approved specific treatment against HRV infections. The aim of this article is therefore to give an overview of the principles of rhinovirus infection, the associated therapeutic targets and to review up-to-date virus-specific clinical trials.

Keywords: Treatment, virus, airway, respiratory, antiviral, interferon, protease, capsid