Development of Small-Molecule Antivirals for Ebola

Med Res Rev. 2015 Nov;35(6):1175-94. doi: 10.1002/med.21355. Epub 2015 Jul 14.

Abstract

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus species. Although a significant progress has recently been made in understanding of Ebola virus biology and pathogenesis, development of effective anti-Ebola treatments has not been very productive, compared to other areas of antiviral research (e.g., HIV and HCV infections). No approved vaccine or medicine is available for Ebola but several are currently under development. This review summarises attempts in identification, evaluation, and development of small-molecule candidates for treatment of Ebola viral disease, including the most promising experimental drugs brincidofovir (CMX001), BCX4430, and favipiravir (T-705).

Keywords: Ebola virus; Marburg virus; antiviral; filovirus; hemorrhagic fever.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Western / epidemiology
  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / drug therapy*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / epidemiology
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents