Post-exposure treatments for Ebola and Marburg virus infections

Robert W. Cross, Chad E. Mire, Heinz Feldmann, Thomas W. Geisbert

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

The filoviruses-Ebola virus and Marburg virus-cause lethal haemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates (NHPs). Filoviruses present a global health threat both as naturally acquired diseases and as potential agents of bioterrorism. In the recent 2013-2016 outbreak of Ebola virus, the most promising therapies for post-exposure use with demonstrated efficacy in the gold-standard NHP models of filovirus disease were unable to show statistically significant protection in patients infected with Ebola virus. This Review briefly discusses these failures and what has been learned from these experiences, and summarizes the current status of post-exposure medical countermeasures in development, including antibodies, small interfering RNA and small molecules. We outline how our current knowledge could be applied to the identification of novel interventions and ways to use interventions more effectively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)413-434
Number of pages22
JournalNature Reviews Drug Discovery
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

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