Potent anti-murine cytomegalovirus activity and reduced nephrotoxicity of ganciclovir cyclic phosphonate.

Ganciclovir cyclic phosphonate (SR3775) is a derivative of the R enantiomer (SR3773) of ganciclovir phosphonate (9-[((+/-)-1-hydroxymethyl-3-phosphono)propyloxymethyl]guanine), both of which are potent inhibitors of human ctyomegalovirus and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Against wild-type and four drug-resistant strains of MCMV, SR3773 was 2.3- to 3-fold more potent than SR3775.

Antiviral activities of nucleosides and nucleotides against wild-type and drug-resistant strains of murine cytomegalovirus.

Resistance of human cytomegalovirus to approved antiviral drugs is becoming a problem of increasing concern. In order to further study drug resistance in a related virus, strains of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) have been prepared in vitro by extensive adaptation of the virus to increasingly higher concentrations of either ganciclovir, foscarnet, or (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-[phosphonylmethoxy]propyl)cytosine (HPMPC). Plaque reduction 50% effective concentrations (EC50) for the above inhibitors increased 9-, 7-, and 23-fold, respectively (against the corresponding virus), compared to wild-type MCMV.

Nucleotide analogs related to acyclovir and ganciclovir are effective against murine cytomegalovirus infections in BALB/c and severe combined immunodeficient mice.

Acyclovir phosphonate [9-(3-phosphono-propyloxymethyl)guanine; SR3722] and the S enantiomer (SR3772), R enantiomer (SR3773), and R,S enantiomeric mixture (SR3745A) of ganciclovir phosphonate (9-[((+/-)-1-hydroxymethyl-3-phosphono)propyloxymethyl]guanine) were evaluated for their antiviral activities against murine cytomegalovirus. In severe combined immunodeficient mice infected with murine cytomegalovirus, SR3773 and SR3745A (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg of body weight per day) were superior to ganciclovir in extending the mean time to death, whereas SR3722 and SR3772 was less potent than ganciclovir.

Selective inhibition of cytomegaloviruses by 9-(3'-ethylphosphono-1'-hydroxymethyl-1'-propyloxy-methyl)g uanine.

9-(3'-ethylphosphono-1'-hydroxymethyl-1'-propyloxy-methyl)gu anine (SR 3727A) was significantly inhibitory to strain AD169 of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) utilizing plaque reduction and inhibition of intra- and extracellular virus yield in MRC-5 cells. The 50% effective concentrations (EC50) ranged from 6-17 microM for three laboratory strains of HCMV, whereas the 50% cytotoxic doses were > 4200 microM as determined by viable cell assay and inhibition of radiolabeled precursors into DNA, RNA and protein. EC50 values against ganciclovir-sensitive clinical isolates ranged from 8-47 microM.