Abstract
The search for effective and selective antiviral agents has since long been a challenge for academic and industrial institutions alike. This search has received a considerable incentive, on the one hand by the identification of new viruses, i.e. the human T-lymphotropic viruses HTLV-I and HTLV-III, as the causative agents of previously unrecognized diseases (adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AID), respectively) and on the other hand by the market success of the first truly selective anti-herpes agent, acyclovir, licensed for general use in the treatment of virus infections. New viral syndromes and epidemics continue to be identified at a regular pace, and new viruses continue to be detected, as illustrated by the novel herpes-like, human B-lympho-tropic virus (HBLV), isolated from patients with lymphoproliferative disorders [1, 2]. Concomitantly, the search for effective antiviral agents has recently yielded a highly promising anti-DNA virus agent with broad-spectrum activity against a wide variety of DNA viruses [3]. It would thus seem mandatory that the search for new antiviral agents keeps pace with the increasing variety of virus infections that are being uncovered.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Salahuddin SZ, Ablashi DV, Markham PD, et al (1986) Isolation of a new virus, HBLV, in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. Science 234:596–601
Josephs SF, Salahuddin SZ, Ablashi DV, Schachter F, Wong-Staal F, Gallo RC (1986) Genomic analysis of the human B-lymphotropic virus (HBLV). Science 234:601–603
De Clercq E, Holy A, Rosenberg I, Sakuma T, Balzarini J, Maudgal PC (1986) A novel selective broad-spectrum anti-DNA virus agent. Nature 323:464–467
De Clercq E (1985) Antiviral agents. In: Greenwood D, O’Grady F (eds) Scientific Basis of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 155–184
De Clercq E (1986) Towards a selective chemotherapy of virus infections. Development of bromovinyldeoxyuridine as a highly potent and selective antiherpetic drug. Verh K Acad Geneesk Belg 48:261–290
Gilbert BE, Knight V (1986) Biochemistry and clinical applications of ribavirin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 30:201–205
Mitsuya H, Weinhold KJ, Furman PA, et al (1985) 3′-Azido-3′-deoxythymidine (BW A509U) : an antiviral agent that inhibits the infectivity and cytopathic effect of human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus in vitro. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 82:7096–7100
De Clercq E (1986) Chemotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). J Med Chem 29:1561–1569
Hay AJ, Wolstenholme AJ, Skehel JJ, Smith MH (1985) The molecular basis of the specific anti-influenza action of amantadine. Embo J 4:3021–3024
De Clercq E (1986) Virus-drug resistance: thymidine kinase-deficient (TKM–) mutants of herpes simplex virus. Therapeutic approaches. Annali dell’Istituto Superiore di Sanita (in press)
Sköldenberg B, Forsgren M, Alestig K, et al (1984) Acyclovir versus vidarabine in herpes simplex encephalitis. Lancet II:707–711
Whitley RJ, Alford CA, Hirsch MS, et al (1986) Vidarabine versus acyclovir therapy in herpes simplex encephalitis. N Engl J Med 314:144–149
De Clercq E (1985) Antiherpesvirus agents and the immune system. Zbl Bakt, Suppl 13:39–57
De Clercq E (1986) Antiviral agents and the immune system. In: Jeljaszewicz J, Pulverer G (eds) Antimicrobial Agents and Immunity. Academic Press Inc., London, pp 19–65
Whitley RJ, Spruance S, Hayden FG, et al (1984) Vidarabine therapy for mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infections in the immunocompromised host. J Infect Dis 149:1–8
Tricot G, De Clercq E, Boogaerts MA, Verwilghen RL (1986) Oral bromovinyldeoxyuridine therapy for herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus infections in severely immunosup-pressed patients: a preliminary clinical trial. J Med Virol 18:11–20
Shepp DH, Dandliker PS, Meyers JD (1986) Treatment of varicella-zoster virus infection in severely immunocompromised patients. N Engl J Med 314:208–212
Felsenstein D, D’Amico DJ, Hirsch MS, et al (1985) Treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis with 9-[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxymethyl]guanine. Ann Intern Med 103:377–380
Shepp DH, Dandliker PS, de Miranda P, et al (1985) Activity of 9-[2-hydroxy-l-(hydroxy-methyl)ethoxymethyl]guanine in the treatment of cytomegalovirus pneumonia. Ann Intern Med 103:368–373
Klintmalm G, Lönnqvist B, Öberg B, et al (1985) Intravenous foscarnet for the treatment of severe cytomegalovirus infection in allograft recipients. Scand J Infect Dis 17:157–163
Hall CB, McBride JT, Walsh EE, et al (1983) Aerosolized ribavirin treatment of infants with respiratory syncytial viral infection. N Engl J Med 308:1443–1447
Hall CB, McBride JT, Gala CL, Hildreth SW, Schnabel KC (1985) Ribavirin treatment of respiratory syncytial viral infection in infants with underlying cardiopulmonary disease. JAMA 254:3047–3051
McCormick JB, King IJ, Webb PA, et al (1986) Lasa fever. Effective therapy with ribavirin. N Engl J Med 314:20–26
Yarchoan R, Klecker RW, Weinhold KJ, et al (1986) Administration of 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-thymidine, an inhibitor of HTLV-III/LAV replication, to patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex. Lancet I:575–580
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1987 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
De Clercq, E. (1987). Antiviral Chemotherapy: Potential Drugs for the Treatment of Severe Virus Infections. In: Vincent, J.L. (eds) Update 1987. Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, vol 3. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-83042-6_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-83042-6_10
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-17576-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-83042-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive