Is there a treatment for RSV on the horizon?

A clinical trial in 62 healthy adults inoculated with respiratory synctial virus (RSV) found that the oral nucleoside analogue ALS-008176 is effective against this infection. After inoculation with RSV, participants received multiple doses of ALS-008176 or placebo, using 1 of 3 different dosing regimens, and were evaluated through the 12th day after RSV inoculation. Compared with participants who were given a placebo, all participants who received the anti-RSV compound experienced more rapid RSV clearance and a greater reduction of viral load, as well as greater improvements in severity of clinical disease (DeVincenzo JP, et al. N Engl J Med. 2015;373[21]:2048-2058).

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Ms Freedman is a freelance medical editor and writer in New Jersey. She has nothing to disclose in regard to affiliations with or financial interests in any organizations that may have an interest in any part of this article.