Theranostics for Viral Infections

The combination of diagnostics and therapeutics defines theranostics as a new field of translational biomedical research that seeks to improve disease outcomes. This chapter focuses on infectious disease therapeutics, demonstrating how they have successfully developed next-generation therapies. Our focus is on viral infections. Virus-based malfunctioning of physiological processes due to their aggressive progression and multiplicity is concerning. Presently, clinical resolutions for such diseases lack targeted interventions due to considerable constraints in drug tracking. Herein, novel cell-based immunomodulatory therapeutics are discussed in the context of prevention and cure. These remain a major research focus, as new diagnostic and therapeutic discoveries can help combat global health concerns. Notably, viral infections represent both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Newer drug delivery vehicles can overcome therapeutic limitations that include low on-target bioavailability, sub-therapeutic drug levels, and limited patient regimen adherence. Nanocarriers are being used for vaccine formulation. The current burden of infectious diseases and the immediate need for improved clinical outcomes are driving the development of novel therapeutic systems.