In vitro antiviral efficacy of the ganciclovir complexed with beta-cyclodextrin on human cytomegalovirus clinical strains.

The toxicity of the compounds currently used in the treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections in immunocompromised hosts may force the treatment to be discontinued. The aim of this study was to improve the antiviral activity of ganciclovir (GCV), one the most widely used drug, by complexing it with beta-cyclodextrin. Cyclodextrins (cds) have the property to form inclusion complexes with a great number of molecules and to enhance bioavailability and biological properties of these molecules. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antiviral activity of complexed GCV against several strains of HCMV: AD169, a reference strain, RCL-1, a laboratory mutant resistant to GCV, and four clinical isolates. The complexed GCV was more effective than free GCV against all HCMV strains tested. Cds as carriers for antiviral drugs would represent a useful adjunct to classical treatment procedures. They may make it possible to administer lower doses, thus reducing the toxic side effects of the drugs.