Progress in the development and use of antiviral drugs and interferon : report of a WHO Scientific Group, meeting held in Geneva from 10 to 13 March 1987

1. Introduction -- 2. Development of antiviral drugs and interferons -- 3. Viral infections -- 4. Infections for which antiviral drugs are needed -- 5. recommendations -- Bibliography

Meets the urgent need for a perspective on the current and future place of antiviral drugs and interferons in the treatment of viral diseases. Prepared by a 19-member group of experts, the report reviews and interprets recent findings that can either aid the safe and appropriate use of existing antivirals or guide the targeted search for new agents. Specific topics covered include the various approaches taken for the development and synthesis of antiviral agents, their mode of action and pharmacology, their safety and efficacy, the viral diseases for which antiviral agents are required, and the best strategies for treatment. By summarizing the main problems encountered during the development and testing of different agents, the report also offers a useful perspective on why certain lines of research failed and why certain drugs proved uncceptable. Throughout, an effort has been made to relate knowledge and experiences to the urgent search for an agent effective against HIV infections.