Broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAs) are a class of molecules or
compounds, which inhibit the replication of a broad range of
viruses (i.e. viruses belonging to two or more viral families). BSAs could be divided into experimental and investigational agents, and approved drugs. BSAs work by inhibiting
viral proteins (such as
polymerase
A polymerase is an enzyme ( EC 2.7.7.6/7/19/48/49) that synthesizes long chains of polymers or nucleic acids. DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase are used to assemble DNA and RNA molecules, respectively, by copying a DNA template strand using base- ...
s and
proteases) or by targeting host cell factors and processes exploited by different viruses during infection. As of 2021, there are 150 known BSAs in varying stages of development, effective against 78 human viruses.
BSAs are potential candidates for treatment of
emerging and re-emerging viruses, such as
ebola
Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), is a viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates, caused by ebolaviruses. Symptoms typically start anywhere between two days and three weeks after becom ...
,
marburg, and
SARS-CoV-2.
Many BSAs show antiviral activity against other viruses than originally investigated (such as
remdesivir and interferon alpha). Efforts in
drug repurposing for SARS-CoV-2 is currently underway. A database of BSAs and viruses they inhibit could be found here (https://drugvirus.info/).
See also
*
Broad-spectrum antibiotic
*
Broad-spectrum therapeutic
References
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Antiviral drugs
Viruses