Curing the common cold, one of medicine’s most elusive goals, may now be in the realm of the possible. Researchers said Thursday that they had decoded the genomes of the 99 strains of common cold virus and developed a catalog of the virus’s vulnerabilities. The common cold has long defied treatment because the rhinovirus, which causes the majority of colds, has so many strains and presents a moving target for any drug or vaccine. The new findings are of particular interest to physicians who specialize in asthma. Rhinoviruses are thought to trigger half of all asthma attacks. Dr. Fernando Martinez, an asthma expert at the University of Arizona, said that with the new rhinovirus family tree it should be possible for the first time to identify which particular branch of the tree held the viruses most provocative to asthma patients. If antiviral agents could be developed against this group of viruses, “it would be an extraordinary advance,” Dr. Martinez said. The typical cost of developing a new drug is now $700 million, he said, “with interminable fights with financiers and regulators.” The common cold may seem like a pharmaceutical goldmine because it’s so prevalent, but the industry tends to look for conditions that are more serious. There are at present no effective treatments for the common cold. Frequent hand-washing is the best preventive, Dr. Miller said. For once a cold has started, she recommended washing out the nasal passages, warm drinks and rest. ------ for more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/health/research/13cold.html?hp
