Recent advances in the prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus disease.

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with considerable healthcare burden; as such, prevention and treatment of RSV have long been considered a priority. Historic failures in RSV vaccine development had slowed the research field. However, the discovery of the conformational change in the RSV fusion protein (F) has led to considerable advancements in the field. The RSV pharmaceutical landscape has drastically changed in recent years with successful trials of both vaccines and second-generation mAbs leading to licensing and roll-out of these agents in several countries. RSV preventative and therapeutic measures will likely have a significant impact on RSV-related morbidity and mortality. However, there are still gaps in the protection that these immunizations offer that should be addressed. Many unanswered questions about RSV infection dynamics and subsequent disease should be a focus of ongoing research. This review discusses the currently licensed RSV pharmaceuticals and others that have recently progressed to clinical trials.