Host-directed therapy (HDT) suggests that a change to the human body can inhibit the spread of disease. A new study found viral infections may require SETD3 access, such that blocking a link or reducing availability means the virus is stopped.

The strategy behind HDT is to interfere with host-cell proteins required for viral infection. Respiratory enteroviruses (EVs) are an attractive target for the development of HDT.

…our data provide rationale for the development of peptides or small molecule inhibitors that specifically block the SETD3–2A association, and for the development of small molecules inducing SETD3 protein degradation using proteolysis-targeting chimaeras.

In computer terms this would mean blocking the protocol or disabling the service, which security professionals should immediately recognize as common practices.