@article{ZHANG2025, 
author = {Binbin ZHANG and Yiqiong LIANG and Tingting LIU and Xu DENG},
title = {Recent advances in RNA-targeted antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2},
year = {2025},
journal = {Journal of China Pharmaceutical University},
volume = {56},
number = {6},
pages = {689-699},
keywords = {SARS-CoV-2, antiviral agents, frameshift stimulation element (FSE), G-quadruplexes, RNA-targeting chimeras},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.11665/j.issn.1000-5048.2025090403},
doi = {10.11665/j.issn.1000-5048.2025090403},
abstract = {The development of antiviral drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 remains a major strategy for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection. Current anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents mainly act on key viral protein targets involved in the viral life cycle, such as the main protease (Mpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). However, these drugs are insufficient to address the challenges posed by the rapid mutation rate and drug resistance of SARS-CoV-2. In recent years, viral RNA has demonstrated to be a highly promising therapeutic target. Small-molecule drugs that target viral RNA possess distinct advantages, featuring novel mechanisms of action and the potential for broad-spectrum antiviral activity as well as the ability to overcome drug resistance. Such agents provide a new avenue for combating coronavirus threats. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting conserved SARS-CoV-2 RNA structures, including the frameshift stimulation element (FSE), stem-loops (SL), G-quadruplexes (G-4), and RNA-targeting chimeras (RNATAC), aiming to provide some insight to guide future.}
}