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Birkmann A, Bonsmann S, Kropeit D, Pfaff T, Rangaraju M, Sumner M, Timmler B, Zimmermann H, Buschmann H, Ruebsamen-Schaeff H. Discovery, Chemistry, and Preclinical Development of Pritelivir, a Novel Treatment Option for Acyclovir-Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Infections. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13614-13628. [PMID: 36202389 PMCID: PMC9620171 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
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When the nucleoside analogue acyclovir was introduced
in the early
1980s, it presented a game-changing treatment modality for herpes
simplex virus infections. Since then, work has been ongoing to improve
the weaknesses that have now been identified: a narrow time window
for therapeutic success, resistance in immunocompromised patients,
little influence on frequency of recurrences, relatively fast elimination,
and poor bioavailability. The present Drug Annotation focuses on the
helicase–primase inhibitor pritelivir currently in development
for the treatment of acyclovir-resistant HSV infections and describes
how a change of the molecular target (from viral DNA polymerase to
the HSV helicase–primase complex) afforded improvement of the
shortcomings of nucleoside analogs. Details are presented for the
discovery process leading to the final drug candidate, the pivotal
preclinical studies on mechanism of action and efficacy, and on how
ongoing clinical research has been able to translate preclinical promises
into clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dirk Kropeit
- AiCuris Anti-Infective Cures AG, 42117 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Tamara Pfaff
- AiCuris Anti-Infective Cures AG, 42117 Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Melanie Sumner
- AiCuris Anti-Infective Cures AG, 42117 Wuppertal, Germany
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Topalis D, Gillemot S, Snoeck R, Andrei G. Thymidine kinase and protein kinase in drug-resistant herpesviruses: Heads of a Lernaean Hydra. Drug Resist Updat 2018; 37:1-16. [PMID: 29548479 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Herpesviruses thymidine kinase (TK) and protein kinase (PK) allow the activation of nucleoside analogues used in anti-herpesvirus treatments. Mutations emerging in these two genes often lead to emergence of drug-resistant strains responsible for life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised populations. In this review, we analyze the binding of different nucleoside analogues to the TK active site of the three α-herpesviruses [Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)] and present the impact of known mutations on the structure of the viral TKs. Furthermore, models of β-herpesviruses [Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6)] PKs allow to link amino acid changes with resistance to ganciclovir and/or maribavir, an investigational chemotherapeutic used in patients with multidrug-resistant HCMV. Finally, we set the basis for the understanding of drug-resistance in γ-herpesviruses [Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV)] TK and PK through the use of animal surrogate models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Topalis
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sarah Gillemot
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Robert Snoeck
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Graciela Andrei
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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James SH, Larson KB, Acosta EP, Prichard MN. Helicase-primase as a target of new therapies for herpes simplex virus infections. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2014; 97:66-78. [PMID: 25670384 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The seminal discovery of acyclovir 40 years ago heralded the modern era of truly selective antiviral therapies and this drug remains the therapy of choice for herpes simplex virus infections. Yet by modern standards, its antiviral activity is modest and new drugs against novel molecular targets such as the helicase-primase have the potential to improve clinical outcome, particularly in high-risk patients. A brief synopsis of current therapies for these infections and clinical need is provided to help provide an initial perspective. The function of the helicase-primase complex is then summarized and the development of new inhibitors of the helicase-primase complex, such as pritelivir and amenamevir, is discussed. We review their mechanism of action, propensity for drug resistance, and pharmacokinetic characteristics and discuss their potential to advance current therapeutic options. Strategies that include combinations of these inhibitors with acyclovir are also considered, as they will likely maximize clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H James
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Acyclovir (ACV) is the first-line treatment for the management of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) diseases. Long-term administration of the drug for the treatment of chronic infections in the immunocompromised host can lead to the development of ACV-resistance. This review provides an update of the mutations linked to drug-resistance and issues to be considered in the management of HSV infections refractory to antiviral therapy. RECENT FINDINGS Recent data have shown that HSV drug-resistance should be taken into account not only in immunocompromised individuals but also in immunocompetent persons when HSV infections involve 'immune-privileged sites'. Thus, drug-resistance typing is recommended in cases of ACV unresponsive herpetic keratitis and herpes simplex encephalitis. Several issues regarding HSV drug-resistance were highlighted by recent studies. Phenotypic and genotypic antiviral resistance may vary not only from different compartments but also over time, highlighting the importance of characterizing longitudinal HSV isolates from all sites. Combination therapy should be considered when viruses with distinct phenotype/genotype are identified at one or at distinct body sites. SUMMARY Surveillance of HSV drug-resistance is highly recommended in immunocompromised patients and in immunocompetent individuals with infections implicating 'immune-privileged sites' to rationally adapt antiviral treatment.
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Pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics of the helicase-primase inhibitor pritelivir following treatment of wild-type or pritelivir-resistant virus infection in a murine herpes simplex virus 1 infection model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:3843-52. [PMID: 24752278 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02641-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections can cause considerable morbidity. Transmission of HSV-2 has become a major health concern, since it has been shown to promote transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases. Pritelivir (AIC316, BAY 57-1293) belongs to a new class of HSV antiviral compounds, the helicase-primase inhibitors, which have a mode of action that is distinct from that of antiviral nucleoside analogues currently in clinical use. Analysis of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic parameters is a useful tool for the selection of appropriate doses in clinical trials, especially for compounds belonging to new classes for which no or only limited data on therapeutic profiles are available. For this purpose, the effective dose of pritelivir was determined in a comprehensive mouse model of HSV infection. Corresponding plasma concentrations were measured, and exposures were compared with efficacious concentrations derived from cell cultures. The administration of pritelivir at 10 mg/kg of body weight once daily for 4 days completely suppressed any signs of HSV infection in the animals. Associated plasma concentrations adjusted for protein binding stayed above the cell culture 90% effective concentration (EC90) for HSV-1 for almost the entire dosing interval. Interestingly, by increasing the dose 6-fold and prolonging the treatment duration to 8 days, it was possible to treat mice infected with an approximately 30-fold pritelivir-resistant but fully pathogenic HSV-1 virus. Corresponding plasma concentrations exceeded the EC90 of this mutant for <8 h, indicating that even suboptimal exposure to pritelivir is sufficient to achieve antiviral efficacy, possibly augmented by other factors such as the immune system.
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Helicase–primase inhibitors for herpes simplex virus: looking to the future of non-nucleoside inhibitors for treating herpes virus infections. Future Med Chem 2014; 6:45-55. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicase–primase inhibitors (HPIs) are the first new family of potent herpes virus (herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus) inhibitors to go beyond the preliminary stages of investigation since the emergence of the original nucleoside analog inhibitors. To consider the clinical future of HPIs, this review puts the exciting new findings with two HPIs, amenamevir and pritelivir, into the historical context of antiviral development for the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex virus over the last century and, on this basis, the authors speculate on the potential evolution of these and other non-nucleoside inhibitors in the future.
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De Clercq E. A cutting-edge view on the current state of antiviral drug development. Med Res Rev 2013; 33:1249-77. [PMID: 23495004 DOI: 10.1002/med.21281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Prominent in the current stage of antiviral drug development are: (i) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the use of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), the most recent example being Stribild(TM); (ii) for hepatitis C virus (HCV), the pleiade of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that should be formulated in the most appropriate combinations so as to obtain a cure of the infection; (iii)-(v) new strategies (i.e., AIC316, AIC246, and FV-100) for the treatment of herpesvirus infections: herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), respectively; (vi) the role of a new tenofovir prodrug, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) (GS-7340) for the treatment of HIV infections; (vii) the potential use of poxvirus inhibitors (CMX001 and ST-246); (viii) the usefulness of new influenza virus inhibitors (peramivir and laninamivir octanoate); (ix) the position of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibitors [lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir, telbivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)]; and (x) the potential of new compounds such as FGI-103, FGI-104, FGI-106, dUY11, and LJ-001 for the treatment of filoviruses (i.e., Ebola). Whereas for HIV and HCV therapy is aimed at multiple-drug combinations, for all other viruses, HSV, CMV, VZV, pox, influenza, HBV, and filoviruses, current strategies are based on the use of single compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik De Clercq
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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De Clercq E. Selective anti-herpesvirus agents. Antivir Chem Chemother 2013; 23:93-101. [PMID: 23343513 DOI: 10.3851/imp2533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This review article focuses on the anti-herpesvirus agents effective against herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus and cytomegalovirus, which have either been licensed for clinical use (idoxuridine, trifluridine, brivudin, acyclovir, valaciclovir, valganciclovir, famciclovir and foscarnet) or are under clinical development (CMX001 [the hexadecyloxypropyl prodrug of cidofovir], the helicase-primase inhibitor BAY 57-1293 [now referred to as AIC316], FV-100 [the valine ester of Cf 1743] and the terminase inhibitor letermovir [AIC246]).
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik De Clercq
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Field HJ, Mickleburgh I. The helicase-primase complex as a target for effective herpesvirus antivirals. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 767:145-59. [PMID: 23161010 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5037-5_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus have been treated for more that half a century using nucleoside analogues. However, there is still an unmet clinical need for improved herpes antivirals. The successful compounds, acyclovir; penciclovir and their orally bioavailable prodrugs valaciclovir and famciclovir, ultimately block virus replication by inhibiting virus-specific DNA-polymerase. The helicase-primase (HP) complex offers a distinctly different target for specific inhibition of virus DNA synthesis. This review describes the synthetic programmes that have already led to two HP-inhibitors (HPI) that have commenced clinical trials in man. One of these (known as AIC 316) continues in clinical development to date. The specificity of HPI is reflected by the ability to select drug-resistant mutants. The role of HP-antiviral resistance will be considered and how the study of cross--resistance among mutants already shows subtle differences between compounds in this respect. The impact of resistance on the drug development in the clinic will also be considered. Finally, herpesvirus latency remains as the most important barrier to a therapeutic cure. Whether or not helicase primase inhibitors alone or in combination with nucleoside analogues can impact on this elusive goal remains to be seen.
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Jaramillo N, Domingo E, Muñoz-Egea MC, Tabarés E, Gadea I. Evidence of Muller's ratchet in herpes simplex virus type 1. J Gen Virol 2012; 94:366-375. [PMID: 23100362 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.044685-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Population bottlenecks can have major effects in the evolution of RNA viruses, but their possible influence in the evolution of DNA viruses is largely unknown. Genetic and biological variation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been studied by subjecting 23 biological clones of the virus to 10 plaque-to-plaque transfers. In contrast to large population passages, plaque transfers led to a decrease in replicative capacity of HSV-1. Two out of a total of 23 clones did not survive to the last transfer in 143 TK(-) cells. DNA from three genomic regions (DNA polymerase, glycoprotein gD and thymidine kinase) from the initial and passaged clones was sequenced. Nucleotide substitutions were detected in the TK and gD genes, but not in the DNA polymerase gene. Assuming a uniform distribution of mutations along the genome, the average rate of fixation of mutations was about five mutations per viral genome and plaque transfer. This value is comparable to the range of values calculated for RNA viruses. Four plaque-transferred populations lost neurovirulence for mice, as compared with the corresponding initial clones. LD(50) values obtained with the populations subjected to serial bottlenecks were 4- to 67-fold higher than for their parental clones. These results equate HSV-1 with RNA viruses regarding fitness decrease as a result of plaque-to-plaque transfers, and show that population bottlenecks can modify the pathogenic potential of HSV-1. Implications for the evolution of complex DNA viruses are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nacarí Jaramillo
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esteban Domingo
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER ehd), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Enrique Tabarés
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, UAM, Madrid, Spain
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De Clercq E. Human viral diseases: what is next for antiviral drug discovery? Curr Opin Virol 2012; 2:572-9. [PMID: 22846888 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2012.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
For the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections for which there are ample drugs available, the immediate future lies in a once-daily combination pill containing three or four active ingredients. This strategy may also be envisaged for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections as soon as we have at hand the appropriate direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) to be combined. A combination drug therapy is generally not entertained for other viruses. Yet, new drugs are at the horizon for the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), poxvirus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza and enveloped viruses-at-large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik De Clercq
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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12
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Chono K, Katsumata K, Kontani T, Shiraki K, Suzuki H. Characterization of virus strains resistant to the herpes virus helicase-primase inhibitor ASP2151 (Amenamevir). Biochem Pharmacol 2012; 84:459-67. [PMID: 22687623 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Revised: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/31/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
ASP2151 is an antiherpes agent targeting the helicase-primase complex of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1, HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). We characterized the ASP2151-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2 variants or mutants based on findings from sequencing analysis, growth, pathogenicity, and susceptibility testing, identifying several single base-pair substitutions resulting in amino acid changes in the helicase and primase subunit of ASP2151-resistant mutants. Amino acid alterations in the helicase subunit were clustered near helicase motif IV in the UL5 helicase gene of both HSV-1 and HSV-2, while the primase subunit substitution associated with reduced susceptibility, R367H, was found in ASP2151-resistant HSV-1 mutants. However, while susceptibility in the ASP2151-resistant HSV mutants to existing antiherpes agents was equivalent to that in wild-type HSV strains, ASP2151-resistant HSV mutants showed attenuated in vitro growth capability and in vivo pathogenicity compared with the parent strains. Taken together, our present findings demonstrated that important amino acid substitutions associated with reduced susceptibilities of HSV-1 and HSV-2 to ASP2151 exist in both the helicase and primase subunits of the helicase-primase complex, and that mutations in this complex against ASP2151 might confer defects in viral replication and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Chono
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Miyukigaoka 21, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
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Abstract
Resurgent interest in antiviral drugs for the treatment of herpesvirus has led to the development of new compounds that are progressing through clinical trials. This is important because there are few therapeutic options for resistant infections and some viruses such as human cytomegalovirus remain underserved. New compounds include conventional DNA polymerase inhibitors such as valomaciclovir and cyclopropavir, as well as CMX001 that has a broad spectrum of antiviral activity that includes all the herpesviruses. It also includes compounds with new molecular targets such as maribavir (MBV), FV-100, AIC361, and AIC246. Recent advances with each of these compounds will be reviewed including their virus specificity, mechanism of action, and stage of development. The potential of these new compounds to improve clinical outcome will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan B. Price
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham AL 35233-1711 USA
| | - Mark N. Prichard
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham AL 35233-1711 USA
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Biswas S, Field HJ. Helicase-Primase Inhibitors: A New Approach to Combat Herpes Simplex Virus and Varicella Zoster Virus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527635955.ch6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
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Field HJ, Biswas S. Antiviral drug resistance and helicase-primase inhibitors of herpes simplex virus. Drug Resist Updat 2010; 14:45-51. [PMID: 21183396 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2010.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A new class of chemical inhibitors has been discovered that interferes with the process of herpesvirus DNA replication. To date, the majority of useful herpesvirus antivirals are nucleoside analogues that block herpesvirus DNA replication by targeting the DNA polymerase. The new helicase-primase inhibitors (HPI) target a different enzyme complex that is also essential for herpesvirus DNA replication. This review will place the HPI in the context of previous work on the nucleoside analogues. Several promising highly potent HPI will be described with a particular focus on the identification of drug-resistance mutations. Several HPI have good pharmacological profiles and are now at the outset of phase II clinical trials. Provided there are no safety issues to stop their progress, this new class of compound will be a major advance in the herpesvirus antiviral field. Furthermore, HPI are likely to have a major impact on the therapy and prevention of herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients alone or in combination with current nucleoside analogues. The possibility of acquired drug-resistance to HPI will then become an issue of great practical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh J Field
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB30ES, United Kingdom.
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Pronost S, Cook RF, Fortier G, Timoney PJ, Balasuriya UBR. Relationship between equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy and viral genotype. Equine Vet J 2010; 42:672-4. [PMID: 21039794 DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00307.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Pronost
- Frank Duncombe Laboratory, IFR 146 ICORE, France
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