An antiviral reassigned to fight RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs with a direct action on RSV. In this study, researchers reviewed 12,000 molecules from the ReFRAME drug reallocation library. They identified 21 candidates, including inhibitors of RSV F and N proteins, five HSP90 inhibitors and four IMPDH inhibitors. They selected one candidate, the farnesyltransferase inhibitor lonafarnib, which is also being tested in Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of hepatitis D. They then studied its mode of action against RSV.