Novel therapies and vaccines against the human respiratory syncytial virus

Abstract

Introduction: Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections worldwide in infants, as well as an important pathogen affecting the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Despite more than a half a century of research, no licensed vaccines are available and only palivizumab has been approved to use in humans, mostly recommended or limited to high risk infants. Therefore, novel therapeutic and preventive drugs need to be developed to fight this major human pathogen.

Areas covered: This review discusses current therapeutic approaches in preclinical and clinical stages, aimed at controlling or preventing hRSV infection. These methods include passive immunization, experimental drugs, vaccine candidates and maternal immunization.

Expert opinion: Based on the results of various immunization strategies and therapeutic approaches, it is likely that the most effective strategy against hRSV will be a prophylactic tool aimed at developing a strong antiviral T-cell response capable of both, promoting the generation of hRSV-specific high affinity antibodies and leading the protective immunity required to prevent the disease caused by this virus. Alternatively, if prophylactic strategies fail, antiviral drugs and novel passive immunity strategies could significantly contribute to reducing hospitalization rates in susceptible individuals.

Keywords:

• antibody therapy
• hRSV
• T-cell immunity
• vaccines

Declaration of interest

The authors are supported by grants: Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (FONDECYT) no 1110518, FONDECYT no 1070352, FONDECYT no 1085281, FONDECYT no 1100926, FONDECYT no 3070018, FONDECYT no 3100090, Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (CONICYT)/FONDECYT POSTDOCTORADO no 3140455, FONDECYT no 11075060, FONDECYT no 1110397 and FONDECYT no 1140011. CONICYT Capital Humano Avanzado en la Academia no 791100015, Vicerrectoría de Investigación de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile No 04/2010 and Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy (NoP09/016-F). AM Kalergis is a Chaire De La Région Pays De La Loire De Chercheur Étranger D’excellence and a Directeur de Recherche via a Contract Durée Determinée (CDD-DR) at INSERM. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.