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Sepassi A, Saunders IM, Bounthavong M, Taplitz RA, Logan C, Watanabe JH. Cost Effectiveness of Letermovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis Compared with Pre-Emptive Therapy in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients in the United States. PHARMACOECONOMICS - OPEN 2023; 7:393-404. [PMID: 36840894 PMCID: PMC10169956 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-023-00398-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of letermovir prophylaxis with the option for subsequent pre-emptive therapy (PET) for the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection compared with a PET-only scenario in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HCT) recipients in the United States over a 10-year time horizon. MATERIALS AND METHODS A publicly available decision tree model was constructed using a commercial third-party payer perspective to simulate an allo-HCT recipient's clinical trajectory in the first-year post-transplant, followed by entry to a Markov model to simulate years 2 through 10. Clinical inputs and utility estimates were derived from published literature. Costs were derived from published literature and US Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Supply Schedule drug pricing. Outcomes assessed included life expectancy, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), direct medical costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were performed to test the robustness of the findings. RESULTS Compared with PET alone, letermovir prophylaxis was projected to increase life-years per person (4.99 vs. 4.70 life-years), and increase QALYs (3.29 vs. 3.08) and costs (US$83.411 vs. US$70,698), yielding an ICER of US$59,356 per QALY gained. One-way sensitivity analyses indicated our model was sensitive to mortality (ICER: $164,771/QALY) and utility (letermovir ICER: $117,447/QALY; PET ICER: $107,290/QALY) in the first-year post-transplant. In 57.1% of the PSA simulations, letermovir was a cost-effective option using a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$100,000 per QALY. CONCLUSIONS Letermovir prophylaxis is cost effective compared with PET alone with a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$100,000 per QALY gained. Sensitivity analysis results indicate future research is required to understand the impact of mortality and quality of life in the first-year post-transplant to arrive at a conclusive decision on letermovir adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryana Sepassi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Ila M Saunders
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark Bounthavong
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Veteran Affairs, Health Economic Resource Center, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | | | - Cathy Logan
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan H Watanabe
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, CA, USA
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2
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Piret J, Goyette N, Boivin G. In vitro activity of letermovir against human cytomegalovirus isolates with different drug susceptibility phenotypes. Antiviral Res 2022; 202:105328. [PMID: 35490740 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Letermovir (LTV) is approved for the prophylaxis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in adult seropositive recipients of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Here, we report on the in vitro activity of LTV against a large panel of clinical HCMV isolates and recombinant viruses with different drug susceptibility phenotypes to currently-approved DNA polymerase inhibitors or maribavir. No pre-existing mutations conferring resistance to LTV were detected by Sanger sequencing in clinical HCMV isolates susceptible or resistant to DNA polymerases inhibitors. The susceptibility of LTV against the different recombinant HCMV mutants with amino acid substitutions in the UL97 kinase or in the UL54 DNA polymerase was similar to that of the wild type virus. LTV was also effective against recombinant HCMV harboring UL97 mutations conferring resistance to maribavir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyne Piret
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Guy Boivin
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
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3
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Assessment of UL56 Mutations before Letermovir Therapy in Refractory Cytomegalovirus Transplant Recipients. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0019122. [PMID: 35343771 PMCID: PMC9045154 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00191-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo mutations in the UL56 terminase subunit and its associated phenotypes were studied in the context of cytomegalovirus (CMV) transplant recipients clinically resistant to DNA-polymerase inhibitors, naive to letermovir. R246C was the only UL56 variant detected by standard and deep sequencing, located within the letermovir-resistance-associated region (residues 230–370). R246C emerged in 2/80 transplant recipients (1 hematopoietic and 1 heart) since first cytomegalovirus replication and responded transiently to various alternative antiviral treatments in vivo. Recombinant phenotyping showed R246C conferred an advanced viral fitness and was sensitive to ganciclovir, cidofovir, foscarnet, maribavir, and letermovir. These results demonstrate a low rate (2.5%) of natural occurring polymorphisms within the letermovir-resistant-associated region before its administration. Identification of high replicative capacity variants in patients not responding to treatment or experiencing relapses could be helpful to guide further therapy and dosing of antiviral molecules. IMPORTANCE We provide comprehensive data on the clinical correlates of both CMV genotypic follow-up by standard and deep sequencing and the clinical outcomes, as well as recombinant phenotypic results of this novel mutation. Our study emphasizes that the clinical follow-up in combination with genotypic and phenotypic studies is essential for the assessment and optimization of patients experiencing HCMV relapses or not responding to antiviral therapy. This information may be important for other researchers and clinicians working in the field to improve the care of transplant patients since drug-resistant CMV infections are an important emerging problem even with the new antiviral development.
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Cytomegalovirus Viral Load in Transplanted Patients Using the NeuMoDx™ (Qiagen) Automated System: A 1-Month Experience Feedback. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081619. [PMID: 34452483 PMCID: PMC8402845 DOI: 10.3390/v13081619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivations represent a significant morbidity and mortality problem in transplant patients. Reliable and rapid measurement of CMV viral load is a key issue for optimal patient management. We report here the evaluation of NeuMoDx™ (Qiagen) in a routine hospital setting (University Hospitals of Marseille, France) in comparison with our classical reference technique R-GENE. During one month, 719 CMV viral loads from 507 patients were measured in parallel in both techniques. Using the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve and our biological experience we suggest that values <52 IU/mL (geometric mean) correspond to negative samples, values >140 IU/mL (Fowlkes–Mallows index) correspond to quantifiable positive results and values ranging from 52 to 140 IU/mL represent non-quantifiable positive results. Follow-up of 15 transplant patients who developed CMV reactivation during the study showed that NeuMoDx™ provided higher viral load measurement during the first two weeks of follow-up for three patients. These important intra-individual variations resulted in a significant median increase considering the whole data set (6.7 points of difference expressed as a percentage of the initial viral load). However, no difference between the two techniques was noticeable after two weeks of treatment. Subsequent to this first study we conclude that NeuMoDx™, used with optimized logistics and an adapted threshold, allows a rapid CMV viral load measurement and that its use does not lead to any difference in patient management compared to the reference technique R-GENE®.
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Douglas CM, Barnard R, Holder D, Leavitt R, Levitan D, Maguire M, Nickle D, Teal V, Wan H, van Alewijk DCJG, van Doorn LJ, Chou S, Strizki J. Letermovir Resistance Analysis in a Clinical Trial of Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients. J Infect Dis 2021; 221:1117-1126. [PMID: 31781762 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Letermovir (LET), a cytomegalovirus (CMV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) terminase inhibitor, was recently approved for prophylaxis of CMV infection in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cytomegalovirus genotyping was performed to identify LET-resistance-associated variants (RAVs) among subjects in a Phase 3 trial. METHODS The CMV UL56 and UL89 genes, encoding subunits of CMV DNA terminase, were sequenced from plasma collected from subjects with clinically significant CMV infection (CS-CMVi). Novel variants were evaluated by recombinant phenotyping to assess their potential to confer resistance to LET. RESULTS Genotyping was successful for 50 of 79 LET subjects with CS-CMVi. Resistance-associated variants (encoding pUL56 V236M and C325W) were detected independently in subjects 1 and 3 who experienced CS-CMVi while receiving LET prophylaxis, and 2 other variants (encoding pUL56 E237G and R369T) were detected >3 weeks after subjects 2 and 3, respectively, had discontinued LET prophylaxis and received preemptive therapy with ganciclovir. CONCLUSIONS The detected incidence of CMV resistance among subjects who received LET as prophylaxis in this Phase 3 trial was low. The LET RAVs that were detected mapped to the CMV UL56 gene at positions associated with reduced susceptibility to LET based on resistance selections in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron M Douglas
- Infectious Disease Research, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Richard Barnard
- Infectious Disease Research, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Daniel Holder
- Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Randi Leavitt
- Clinical Research, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Diane Levitan
- Translational Molecular Biomarkers, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Maureen Maguire
- Translational Molecular Biomarkers, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - David Nickle
- Pharmacogenomics and Genetics, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Valerie Teal
- Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Hong Wan
- Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | - Sunwen Chou
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Julie Strizki
- Infectious Disease Research, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
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Abstract
Over the past 60 years, more than 100 antiviral drugs or their combinations have been approved for clinical use. Antiviral drugs can be classified according to their chemical nature (e.g., small-molecules, peptides, biologics) or mechanisms of drug actions against specific viral proteins (e.g., polymerase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, glycoprotein inhibitors). This article provides an overview of antiviral classifications in 10 important human viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), variola virus (human smallpox), varicella zoster virus (VZV), influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
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7
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James SH. Letermovir Resistance in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: The Risks Associated with Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis. J Infect Dis 2020; 221:1036-1038. [PMID: 31784759 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Scott H James
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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8
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Ligat G, Muller C, Alain S, Hantz S. [The terminase complex, a relevant target for the treatment of HCMV infection]. Med Sci (Paris) 2020; 36:367-375. [PMID: 32356713 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2020063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that belongs to the betaherpesviridae. Primary HCMV infection is generally asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals. In contrast, HCMV infection causes serious disease in immunocompromised patients and is the leading cause of congenital viral infection. Although they are effective, the use of conventional molecules is limited by the emergence of resistance and by their toxicity. New antivirals targeting other replication steps and inducing fewer adverse effects are therefore needed. During HCMV replication, DNA packaging is performed by the terminase complex, which cleaves DNA to package the virus genome into the capsid. With no counterpart in mammalian cells, these terminase proteins are ideal targets for highly specific antivirals. A new terminase inhibitor, letermovir, recently proved effective against HCMV in phase III clinical trials. However, its mechanism of action is unclear and it has no significant activity against other herpesvirus or non-human CMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëtan Ligat
- Univ. Limoges, Inserm, CHU Limoges, RESINFIT, U1092, 87000 Limoges, France - CHU Limoges, Laboratoire de bactériologie-virologie-hygiène, Centre national de référence des Herpèsvirus (NRCHV), 87000 Limoges, France - Adresse actuelle : Inserm U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Clotilde Muller
- Univ. Limoges, Inserm, CHU Limoges, RESINFIT, U1092, 87000 Limoges, France - CHU Limoges, Laboratoire de bactériologie-virologie-hygiène, Centre national de référence des Herpèsvirus (NRCHV), 87000 Limoges, France
| | - Sophie Alain
- Univ. Limoges, Inserm, CHU Limoges, RESINFIT, U1092, 87000 Limoges, France - CHU Limoges, Laboratoire de bactériologie-virologie-hygiène, Centre national de référence des Herpèsvirus (NRCHV), 87000 Limoges, France
| | - Sébastien Hantz
- Univ. Limoges, Inserm, CHU Limoges, RESINFIT, U1092, 87000 Limoges, France - CHU Limoges, Laboratoire de bactériologie-virologie-hygiène, Centre national de référence des Herpèsvirus (NRCHV), 87000 Limoges, France
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9
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Antiviral prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus infection in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Blood Adv 2019; 2:2159-2175. [PMID: 30154125 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018016493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are at risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and disease, which results in increased morbidity and mortality. Although universal antiviral prophylaxis against CMV improves outcomes in solid organ transplant recipients, data have been conflicting regarding such prophylaxis in patients undergoing allogeneic HCT. We conducted a systematic review of randomized trials of prophylactic antivirals against CMV after allogeneic HCT to summarize the evolution of the field over the last 35 years and evaluate the prophylactic potential of antiviral agents against CMV after allogeneic HCT. Electronic databases were queried from database inception through 31 December 2017. For included studies, incidence of CMV infection and all-cause mortality were collected as primary outcomes; CMV disease incidence, use of preemptive therapy, and drug toxicities were collected as secondary outcomes. Nineteen clinical trials conducted between 1981 and 2017 involving a total of 4173 patients were included for review. Prophylactic strategies included use of acyclovir, valacyclovir, ganciclovir, maribavir, brincidofovir, and letermovir compared with placebo or a comparator antiviral. Fourteen trials that compared antiviral prophylaxis with placebo demonstrated overall effectiveness in reducing incidence of CMV infection (odds ratio [OR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42-0.58), CMV disease (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.40-0.80), and use of preemptive therapy (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.42-0.62; 6 trials); however, none demonstrated reduction in all-cause mortality (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.78-1.18) except the phase 3 trial of letermovir (week-24 OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38-0.98). Additional research is warranted to determine patient groups most likely to benefit from antiviral prophylaxis and its optimal deployment after allogeneic HCT.
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10
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Galitska G, Biolatti M, Griffante G, Gugliesi F, Pasquero S, Dell'Oste V, Landolfo S. Catch me if you can: the arms race between human cytomegalovirus and the innate immune system. Future Virol 2019. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2018-0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a common opportunistic pathogen of significant clinical importance, targets immunocompromised individuals of the human population worldwide. The absence of a licensed vaccine and the low efficacy of currently available drugs remain a barrier to combating the global infection. The HCMV's ability to modulate and escape innate immune responses remains a critical step in the ongoing search for potential drug targets. Here, we describe the complex interplay between HCMV and the host immune system, focusing on different evasion strategies that the virus has employed to subvert innate immune responses. We especially highlight the mechanisms and role of host antiviral restriction factors and provide insights into viral modulation of pro-inflammatory NF-κB and interferon signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganna Galitska
- Department of Public Health & Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Biolatti
- Department of Public Health & Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gloria Griffante
- Department of Public Health & Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Gugliesi
- Department of Public Health & Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Selina Pasquero
- Department of Public Health & Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Dell'Oste
- Department of Public Health & Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Santo Landolfo
- Department of Public Health & Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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11
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Piret J, Boivin G. Clinical development of letermovir and maribavir: Overview of human cytomegalovirus drug resistance. Antiviral Res 2019; 163:91-105. [PMID: 30690043 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The prevention and treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections is based on the use of antiviral agents that currently target the viral DNA polymerase and that may cause serious side effects. The search for novel inhibitors against HCMV infection led to the discovery of new molecular targets, the viral terminase complex and the viral pUL97 kinase. The most advanced compounds consist of letermovir (LMV) and maribavir (MBV). LMV inhibits the cleavage of viral DNA and its packaging into capsids by targeting the HCMV terminase complex. LMV is safe and well tolerated and exhibits pharmacokinetic properties that allow once daily dosing. LMV showed efficacy in a phase III prophylaxis study in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients seropositive for HCMV. LMV was recently approved under the trade name Prevymis™ for prophylaxis of HCMV infection in adult seropositive recipients of an allogeneic HSCT. Amino acid substitutions conferring resistance to LMV selected in vitro map primarily to the pUL56 and rarely to the pUL89 and pUL51 subunits of the HCMV terminase complex. MBV is an inhibitor of the viral pUL97 kinase activity and interferes with the morphogenesis and nuclear egress of nascent viral particles. MBV is safe and well tolerated and has an excellent oral bioavailability. MBV was effective for the treatment of HCMV infections (including those that are refractory or drug-resistant) in transplant recipients in two phase II studies and is further evaluated in two phase III trials. Mutations conferring resistance to MBV map to the UL97 gene and can cause cross-resistance to ganciclovir. MBV-resistant mutations also emerged in the UL27 gene in vitro and could compensate for the inhibition of pUL97 kinase activity by MBV. Thus, LMV and probably MBV will broaden the armamentarium of antiviral drugs available for the prevention and treatment of HCMV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyne Piret
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHU of Quebec and Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Guy Boivin
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHU of Quebec and Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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12
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Ligat G, Cazal R, Hantz S, Alain S. The human cytomegalovirus terminase complex as an antiviral target: a close-up view. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 42:137-145. [PMID: 29361041 PMCID: PMC5972660 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuy004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is responsible for life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals and can cause serious congenital malformations. Available antivirals target the viral polymerase but are subject to cross-resistance and toxicity. New antivirals targeting other replication steps and inducing fewer adverse effects are therefore needed. During HCMV replication, DNA maturation and packaging are performed by the terminase complex, which cleaves DNA to package the genome into the capsid. Identified in herpesviruses and bacteriophages, and with no counterpart in mammalian cells, these terminase proteins are ideal targets for highly specific antivirals. A new terminase inhibitor, letermovir, recently proved effective against HCMV in phase III clinical trials, but the mechanism of action is unclear. Letermovir has no significant activity against other herpesvirus or non-human CMV. This review focuses on the highly conserved mechanism of HCMV DNA-packaging and the potential of the terminase complex to serve as an antiviral target. We describe the intrinsic mechanism of DNA-packaging, highlighting the structure-function relationship of HCMV terminase complex components.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ligat
- Université Limoges, INSERM, CHU Limoges, UMR 1092, 2 rue Dr Marcland, 87000 Limoges, France.,CHU Limoges, Laboratoire de Bactériologie-Virologie-Hygiène, National Reference Center for Herpesviruses (NRHV), 2 avenue Martin Luther King, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - R Cazal
- Université Limoges, INSERM, CHU Limoges, UMR 1092, 2 rue Dr Marcland, 87000 Limoges, France.,CHU Limoges, Laboratoire de Bactériologie-Virologie-Hygiène, National Reference Center for Herpesviruses (NRHV), 2 avenue Martin Luther King, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - S Hantz
- Université Limoges, INSERM, CHU Limoges, UMR 1092, 2 rue Dr Marcland, 87000 Limoges, France.,CHU Limoges, Laboratoire de Bactériologie-Virologie-Hygiène, National Reference Center for Herpesviruses (NRHV), 2 avenue Martin Luther King, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - S Alain
- Université Limoges, INSERM, CHU Limoges, UMR 1092, 2 rue Dr Marcland, 87000 Limoges, France.,CHU Limoges, Laboratoire de Bactériologie-Virologie-Hygiène, National Reference Center for Herpesviruses (NRHV), 2 avenue Martin Luther King, 87000 Limoges, France
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13
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Foolad F, Aitken SL, Chemaly RF. Letermovir for the prevention of cytomegalovirus infection in adult cytomegalovirus-seropositive hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2018; 11:931-941. [PMID: 30004790 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2018.1500897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants (allo-HCT) recipients are at the high-risk of reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV), and reactivation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although available anti-CMV therapies may be effective for the prevention of CMV, they are plagued by unacceptable toxicities that prohibit their use in the post-transplant period. Recently studied CMV-active agents, such as maribavir and brincidofovir, failed to reduce the incidence of CMV infection in HCT recipients. Letermovir represents the first agent in the non-nucleoside 3,4 dihydro-quinazoline class of CMV viral terminase complex inhibitors, with activity solely against CMV. The positive results from the recently published Phase III study of letermovir for prevention of CMV infection in CMV-seropositive allo-HCT recipients led to its approval as a prophylactic agent for CMV in multiple countries. Areas covered: In this review, we will evaluate this novel agent with a focus on letermovir mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, clinical efficacy, and safety and toxicities. Expert commentary: With the introduction of letermovir, prevention of CMV infection in allo-HCT recipients may shift considerably, from a predominantly preemptive strategy to one that utilizes this novel therapy for prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Foolad
- a Division of Pharmacy , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , Texas , USA
| | - Samuel L Aitken
- a Division of Pharmacy , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , Texas , USA.,b Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Genomics , UTHealth McGovern Medical School , Houston , Texas , USA
| | - Roy F Chemaly
- c Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , Texas , USA
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14
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Britt WJ, Prichard MN. New therapies for human cytomegalovirus infections. Antiviral Res 2018; 159:153-174. [PMID: 30227153 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recent approval of letermovir marks a new era of therapy for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections, particularly for the prevention of HCMV disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. For almost 30 years ganciclovir has been the therapy of choice for these infections and by today's standards this drug exhibits only modest antiviral activity that is often insufficient to completely suppress viral replication, and drives the selection of drug-resistant variants that continue to replicate and contribute to disease. While ganciclovir remains the therapy of choice, additional drugs that inhibit novel molecular targets, such as letermovir, will be required as highly effective combination therapies are developed not only for the treatment of immunocompromised hosts, but also for congenitally infected infants. Sustained efforts, largely in the biotech industry and academia, have identified additional highly active lead compounds that have progressed into clinical studies with varying levels of success and at least two have the potential to be approved in the near future. Some of the new drugs in the pipeline inhibit new molecular targets, remain effective against isolates that have developed resistance to existing therapies, and promise to augment existing therapeutic regimens. Here, we will describe some of the unique features of HCMV biology and discuss their effect on therapeutic needs. Existing drugs will also be discussed and some of the more promising candidates will be reviewed with an emphasis on those progressing through clinical studies. The in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity, spectrum of antiviral activity, and mechanism of action of new compounds will be reviewed to provide an update on potential new therapies for HCMV infections that have progressed significantly in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Britt
- 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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15
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Drug-resistant cytomegalovirus: clinical implications of specific mutations. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2018; 23:388-394. [DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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16
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Metal-chelating 3-hydroxypyrimidine-2,4-diones inhibit human cytomegalovirus pUL89 endonuclease activity and virus replication. Antiviral Res 2018; 152:10-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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17
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