Nucleic Acid-Based Technologies Targeting Coronaviruses.

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently creating a global health emergency. This crisis is driving a worldwide effort to develop effective vaccines, prophylactics and therapeutics. Nucleic acid (NA)-based treatments hold great potential to combat outbreaks of coronaviruses (CoVs) due to their rapid development, high target specificity, and the capacity to increase druggability. Here, we review key anti-CoV NA-based technologies, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems and mRNA vaccines, and discuss improved delivery methods and combination therapies with other antiviral drugs.