Emerging treatments
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Prévention de l’InfluenzaPublished by: Groupe de travail Développement de recommandations de première ligneLast published: 2018Preventie van influenzaPublished by: Werkgroep Ontwikkeling Richtlijnen Eerste Lijn (Worel)Last published: 2018Intravenous zanamivir
The European Medicines Agency has approved an intravenous formulation of zanamivir for the treatment of complicated and potentially life-threatening influenza in children ≥6 months of age and adults. The indication is for patients in whom other treatments for influenza, including the inhaled formulation of zanamivir, are unsuitable, and/or the patient's influenza virus is known or suspected to be resistant to other treatments. In the US, the intravenous formulation was previously available through a compassionate use program or enrollment in a clinical trial; however, it has not been available in the US since the 2017-2018 season.[112]
Needle-free technology
Needle-free jet injection for administration of influenza vaccine might avoid the issue of needle phobia and the risk of needle-stick injury.[142]
Combination antiviral therapy
Combining two antivirals that act on different aspects of the viral lifecycle may offer benefits over single agents alone, although options are limited by the small number of antivirals available.[143] Studies in mice demonstrate therapeutic synergism when oseltamivir is combined with amantadine or with favipiravir.[144][145] An in vitro study suggests that amantadine and oseltamivir combination therapy may reduce the emergence of drug-resistant influenza A virus.[146] However, caution may be warranted, as a study of combined oseltamivir plus zanamivir found it to be less effective than oseltamivir alone.[147] One study found that combining baloxavir marboxil with a neuraminidase inhibitor in patients hospitalized with severe influenza did not result in superior clinical outcomes compared with a neuraminidase inhibitor alone.[148]
Recombinant sialidase fusion protein DAS181
Currently under development, this agent targets host respiratory cells rather than the seasonal influenza virus itself, specifically the sialic acid receptor used by the influenza virus to attach to the airway epithelium.[143] DAS181 is a sialidase fusion protein consisting of the sialidase catalytic domain of Actinomyces viscosus, fused with a cell surface anchoring sequence. The inhaled fusion protein removes the receptors for influenza attachment on the respiratory epithelium. Studies have shown in vitro effectiveness against both influenza A and B, and in vitro and in vivo effectiveness against human parainfluenza viruses.[149][150]
Cyanovirin-N
Cyanovirin-N is a protein that interacts with the hemagglutinin cell surface protein of both influenza A and influenza B viruses in vitro. It confers antiviral properties by blocking viral entry.[143] However, further development has been hindered by problems relating to immunogenicity and cytotoxicity. An initial study with a novel PEGylated cyanovirin-N derivative has; however, yielded positive results.[151]
Short-interfering RNAs
Although currently only studied in mice, short-interfering RNAs specific for conserved regions of the influenza gene reduced viral replication when administered intravenously. More recently, RNA interference has been shown to inhibit influenza virus infection in co-operation with interferon gamma.[152]
Favipiravir
A substituted pyrazine that inhibits virus RNA polymerase.[143] In vitro and in vivo studies have shown inhibition of viral replication and activity against viruses that are resistant to both amantadines and neuraminidase inhibitors. Favipiravir blocks the replication of many strains of influenza virus, including the H7N9 avian virus.[153] In addition, it is active against many arena-, bunya-, flavi-, alpha-, picorna-, and noroviruses.
Viramidine
A prodrug of ribavirin, viramidine targets the cellular enzyme IMP dehydrogenase, which is involved in viral RNA synthesis.[143] It is active against seasonal and H5N1 influenza A viruses.[154] It can be administered intravenously, orally, or by aerosol.
DNA vaccine
A trivalent DNA vaccine has been developed with three plasmids expressing hemagglutinin from different seasonal influenza virus strains. It demonstrated protection against influenza and had a good safety profile.[155] In a phase 1 clinical trial, adjuvanted-monovalent H5 DNA vaccines were well tolerated and induced hemagglutination inhibition response rates similar to that of inactivated protein-based H5 vaccines.[156] The results suggest that adjuvanted DNA vaccines with rapid vaccine production could be useful for pandemic control.
VIS410
VIS410 is a monoclonal antibody that has been designed to target all known strains of influenza A. It is directed against a specific epitope on haemagglutinin, a surface protein used for cell binding and entry, and is designed to terminate the influenza virus replication cycle. It is being developed to treat hospitalized patients with influenza A and is currently in phase 2 trials.
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