Development and characterization of DNAzyme candidates demonstrating significant efficiency against human rhinoviruses.

Background: Infections with human rhinoviruses (RVs) are responsible for millions of common cold episodes and the majority of asthma exacerbations, especially in childhood. No drugs specifically targeting RVs are available.

Objective: We sought to identify specific anti-RV molecules based on DNAzyme technology as candidates to a clinical study.

Antisense molecules: A new class of drugs.

An improved understanding of disease pathogenesis leads to identification of novel therapeutic targets. From a pharmacologic point of view, these can be addressed by small chemical compounds, so-called biologicals (eg, mAbs and recombinant proteins), or by a rather new class of molecule based on the antisense concept. Recently, a new wave of clinical studies exploring antisense strategies is evolving.