Progress in the development of new therapies for herpesvirus infections

Curr Opin Virol. 2011 Dec;1(6):548-54. doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2011.10.015.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Herpesviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / drug therapy*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Humans

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents