RNAi-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2: applications and challenges

Abstract

The global pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to ∼6.9 million deaths and affected ∼767 million people globally. The approved vaccines have contributed significantly in reducing disease severity and mortality. However, new infections post vaccination and the lack of specific antivirals have encouraged the research using multiple approaches to design novel therapeutics against COVID-19. Recent studies on the applications of RNAi against coronavirus provide substantial evidence on the prospects of this technique against SARS-CoV-2. Progress in the field of computational analysis and applications of multiple delivery methods also promises safe and effective implementation of RNAi against COVID-19. This review deals with the possible applications and challenges of RNAi against SARS-CoV-2.