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Nucleoside analogs: similarities and differences.

Among the steps in the replication cycle of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that are potential targets for antiviral chemotherapy, the viral DNA polymerase or reverse transcriptase has been a target of choice in research on anti-HIV drugs. Nucleoside analogs--the agents studied in relation to this target--have no intrinsic activity against HIV and must be metabolized to their respective 5'-triphosphates by means of kinases, nucleotidases, or other activating enzymes present naturally in cells. The presence and activity of the intracellular enzymes necessary for activation of nucleoside analogs are highly dependent on host species, cell type, and stage in the cell cycle. A great advantage of 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides is their intracellular pharmacokinetic profile. The multifactorial mechanisms of toxicity associated with this class of drugs likely explain the different spectra of toxicity observed with the various individual nucleoside analogs and exemplify the uniqueness of each compound. Recently, strains of HIV resistant to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine) were isolated from patients who had been treated with this drug; this resistance probably reflects sequential acquisition of amino acid mutations in the HIV reverse transcriptase.

DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase↗

Pharmacokinetics of stavudine in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex.

The pharmacokinetics of stavudine (d4T; 2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine) were studied in patients with AIDS-related complex or AIDS enrolled in a dose-ranging phase I/II study. Twenty-two patients were studied after the first oral dose of 0.67, 1.33, 2.67, or 4 mg/kg of body weight; 17 of them underwent an additional steady-state pharmacokinetic evaluation after thrice-daily dosing of the above doses. Stavudine absorption was rapid, with mean peak concentrations of 1.2-4.2 mg/L over the four dose levels studied. From 34% to 41% of an oral dose was excreted as unchanged drug in the urine. The mean values for plasma elimination half-life ranged from 1 to 1.6 h. The absolute bioavailability of a 4 mg/kg oral dose exceeded 80%. There was no change in pharmacokinetic parameters measured after the first dose and after chronic dosing. Stavudine is a new dideoxynucleoside with more complete and less variable oral absorption than existing nucleosides used for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Multiplex SNP typing by bioluminometric assay coupled with terminator incorporation (BATI).

A multiplex single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing platform using 'bioluminometric assay coupled with terminator [2',3'-dideoxynucleoside triphosphates (ddNTPs)] incorporation' (named 'BATI' for short) was developed. All of the reactions are carried out in a single reaction chamber containing target DNAs, DNA polymerase, reagents necessary for converting PPi into ATP and reagents for luciferase reaction. Each of the four ddNTPs is dispensed into the reaction chamber in turn. PPi is released by a nucleotide incorporation reaction and is used to produce ATP when the ddNTP dispensed is complementary to the base in a template. The ATP is used in a luciferase reaction to release visible light. Only 1 nt is incorporated into a template at a time because ddNTPs do not have a 3' hydroxyl group. This feature greatly simplifies a sequencing spectrum. The luminescence is proportional to the amount of template incorporated. Only one peak appears in the spectrum of a homozygote sample, and two peaks at the same intensity appear for a heterozygote sample. In comparison with pyrosequencing using dNTP, the spectrum obtained by BATI is very simple, and it is very easy to determine SNPs accurately from it. As only one base is extended at a time and the extension signals are quantitative, the observed spectrum pattern is uniquely determined even for a sample containing multiplex SNPs. We have successfully used BATI to type various samples containing plural target sequence areas. The measurements can be carried out with an inexpensive and small luminometer using a photodiode array as the detector. It takes only a few minutes to determine multiplex SNPs. These results indicate that this novel multiplexed approach can significantly decrease the cost of SNP typing and increase the typing throughput with an inexpensive and small luminometer.

DNA Primers↗

Efficacy of 6-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (6-Cl-ddG) on rhesus macaque monkeys chronically infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac239).

To assess the therapeutic effects of 6-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (6-Cl-ddG), a lipophilic dideoxynucleoside analogue, three rhesus macaques chronically infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac239) were subcutaneously administered 25 mg/kg of the drug every 8 hours for 2 weeks. In two of three animals, the viral RNA in plasma and the cell-associated viral load from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were markedly decreased and the number of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were increased after 6-Cl-ddG administration. The decrease of the virus copies was associated with a reciprocal increase in the number of CD4+ lymphocytes. Additionally, a limiting dilution assay revealed a marked decrease in the lymph node cell-associated virus titer during the treatment. However, in the third monkey, the baseline of the number of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes was higher than that of the other monkeys; these numbers changed very little during the treatment. In this monkey, the plasma SIV RNA level was decreased at the first week and was the same as the pretreatment level at the second week of the 6-Cl-ddG administration. In all three treated monkeys, the number of SIV RNA copies in the cerebrospinal fluid also tended to decrease during the 6-Cl-ddG treatment.

Animals↗

Hydroxyurea increases the phosphorylation of 3'-fluorothymidine and 3'-azidothymidine in CEM cells.

The triphosphates of the nucleoside analogues 3'-azidothymidine and 3'-fluorothymidine inhibit reverse transcriptase and are of therapeutic interest for the treatment of retrovirus infections. At equimolar concentrations 3'-fluorothymidine was more effectively transformed to the triphosphate by human CEM cells than azidothymidine which mainly accumulates as the monophosphate. Hydroxyurea, a drug that inhibits de novo synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides, considerably increased the ability of cells to phosphorylate both analogues. Addition of as little as 50 microM hydroxyurea decreased the amount of dideoxynucleoside required to attain a given intracellular concentration of its triphosphate by an order of magnitude. Hydroxyurea is known to shift the balance of substrate cycles between natural deoxynucleosides and their 5'-phosphates in the direction of synthesis and thereby to increase the import and intracellular phosphorylation of the nucleoside. The present results demonstrate a similar effect for the two analogues and raise the possibility of using this effect in therapy.

Antiviral Agents↗

Human immunodeficiency virus inhibition is prolonged by 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine alternating with 2',3'-dideoxycytidine compared with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine alone.

The inhibition of the lymphadenopathy-associated virus strain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by alternating regimens of two dideoxynucleosides, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) (zidovudine) and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC), was determined in CEM cells. Cultures infected with virus for 2 h were treated with clinically achievable concentrations of AZT, ddC, or a 3-day-alternating regimen of AZT and ddC. Media were completely changed every 3 days and replaced with antiviral agent, and virus production was assayed by p24 antigen and virus-specific DNA. Cells treated with no antiviral agent exhibited breakthrough infection by day 6 in culture, whereas cells treated with 0.1, 1.0, or 3.0 microM AZT had a prolonged time to viral breakthrough. For each regimen of AZT alternating with 0.05 or 0.1 microM ddC, there was consistently prolonged HIV inhibition compared with continuous treatment with AZT alone. The viral suppression achieved with the alternating combinations required AZT as well as ddC and was superior to 3 days of treatment with ddC alternating with 3 days of no antiretroviral treatment. Levels of unintegrated HIV DNA paralleled the detection of p24 antigen, with the most prolonged inhibition of virus-specific DNA occurring with AZT alternating with ddC (compared with all regimens except continuous treatment with ddC). These data suggest that alternating regimens of AZT and ddC not only might decrease toxicity associated with the two drugs but may prove to be more efficacious than AZT alone.

Antiviral Agents↗

Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected cells with combinations of HIV-1-specific inhibitors results in a different resistance pattern than does treatment with single-drug therapy.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected CEM cells were treated by the HIV-1-specific inhibitors bis-heteroarylpiperazine (BHAP), 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-5-methylimidazo[4,5,1-jk][1,4]benzodiazepin-2(1 H)-on e (TIBO) R82913, nevirapine, and the N3-methylthymine derivative of [2',5'-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl]-3'-spiro- 5''-(4''-amino-1'',2''-oxathiole-2'',2''-dioxide) (TSAO-m3T), as single agents or in combination, at escalating concentrations. When used individually, the compounds led to the emergence of drug-resistant virus strains within two to five subcultivations. The resulting strains were designated HIV-1/BHAP, HIV-1/TIBO, HIV-1/Nev, and HIV-1/TSAO-m3T, respectively. The mutant viruses showed the following amino acid substitutions in their reverse transcriptase (RT): Leu-100-->Ile for HIV-1/BHAP; Lys-103-->Asn for HIV-1/TIBO; Val-106-->Ala for HIV-1/Nev; and Glu-138-->Lys for HIV-1/TSAO-m3T. Both the Tyr-181-->Cys and Val-106-->Ala mutations were found in another mutant emerging following treatment with nevirapine at escalating concentrations. The BHAP-resistant virus remained fully sensitive to the inhibitory effects of nevirapine and TSAO-m3T, whereas the TSAO-m3T-resistant virus remained fully sensitive to the inhibitory effects of nevirapine and BHAP. When different pairs of nonnucleoside RT inhibitors (i.e., BHAP plus TSAO-m3T, nevirapine plus TSAO-m3T, TIBO plus TSAO-m3T, nevirapine plus TIBO, and BHAP plus nevirapine) were used, resistant virus emerged as fast as with single-drug therapy. In all cases the Tyr-181-->Cys mutation appeared; the virus showed markedly reduced sensitivity to all HIV-1-specific inhibitors but retained sensitivity to 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside analogs such as zidovudine, ddC, and ddI. Our findings argue against simultaneous combination of two different nonnucleoside RT inhibitors that are unable to inhibit HIV-1 mutant strains containing the Tyr-181-->Cys mutation when administered as single drugs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis, solution conformation and anti-HIV activity of novel 3'-substituted-2',3'-dideoxy-5-hydroxymethyluridines and their 4,5-substituted analogues.

To decrease the toxicity of potent anti-HIV nucleosides 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) and 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluorothymidine (3'-FddThd, FLT), their new analogues, 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5-hydroxymethyluridine (3'-Az5HmddUrd) and 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoro-5-hydroxymethyluridine (3'-F5HmddUrd), were synthesized. The reaction of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine (3'-AzddUrd) and 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluorouridine (3'-FddUrd) with formaldehyde, under strongly alkaline conditions and at elevated temperature, proceeded after 4 days to completion to afford the corresponding 5-hydroxymethyl derivatives 3'-Az5HmddUrd and 3'-F5HmddUrd in good yield. These compounds were also prepared by oxidation of AZT and FLT with the use of K2S2O8. 1H NMR analyses were subjected to the series of 3', 4 and 5-substituted pyrimidine 2'-deoxy- and 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides involving 3'-Az5HmddUrd and 3'-F5HmddUrd. Analysis of the sugar furanose ring puckering demonstrated that all 3'-fluorine derivatives exhibited strong domination of the S conformation (approximately 100%) while 3'-substitution by electron-donating groups, such as NH2, increased population of the N conformation. Experimentally observed substituent effect on the furanose ring puckering equilibrium was reconstructed in the 100 ps molecular dynamic trajectories obtained for AZT, FLT, dThd, 2',3'-ddThd and 3'-amino-2',3'-ddThd. It may be concluded that anti-HIV activity is linked to a direct interaction of the 3'-substituent with reverse transcriptase (RT) binding site. Anti-HIV activities of 3'-Az5HmddUrd and 3'-F5HmddUrd are lower than activity of AZT and FLT; however, 3'-Az5HmddUrd and 3'-F5HmddUrd are less toxic than AZT and FLT.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Uptake properties of lamivudine (3TC) by a continuous renal epithelial cell line.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the renal uptake properties of the cytidine analog and antiretroviral agent 3TC. The uptake of radiolabelled 3TC was measured at 37 degrees C in a continuous porcine renal epithelial cell line (i.e., LLC-PK1 cells) grown as a monolayer on an impermeable support. 3TC (5 microM) uptake (37 degrees C) by the monolayer cells was saturable (Km = 1.2 +/- 0.2 mM) but not significantly altered by various dideoxynucleoside analog drugs, nucleosides, and nucleoside transport inhibitors, suggesting that a nucleoside transporter is not involved in 3TC uptake. A number of endogenous organic cation probes and inhibitors significantly reduced 3TC uptake by the monolayer cells. Quinine, trimethoprim (TMP), and tetraethylammonium (TEA) inhibited 3TC uptake in a dose dependent manner with IC50 values of 0.6 mM, 0.63 mM, and 1.9 mM, respectively. In turn, the uptake of the typical organic cation substrate TEA was inhibited by high concentrations of 3TC. An outwardly directed proton gradient significantly increased the uptake of 3TC by the monolayer cells, suggesting the involvement of a proton exchange process. Conversely, in the presence of monensin, a Na+/H+ ionophore, the uptake of 3TC was significantly reduced. These results suggest that the uptake of 3TC by a cultured renal epithelium may be mediated by an organic cation-proton exchanger. The observed clinical interaction between 3TC and trimethoprim may be explained by competition for a common renal organic cation tubular transporter.

Animals↗

[New therapeutic trends in AIDS].

In this paper we describe the current status of the chemotherapy of HIV-related disease, and the newly emerging approaches to this problem. Azidothymidine, the first anti-HIV drug, is now used by thousands of patients with AIDS, and is able to induce a substantial improvement of their clinical status. However, due to its toxicity and its very limited activity against HIV replication in chronically infected cells (the natural reservoir of the virus in the body), it is crucial that new drugs be developed. A number of compounds belonging to the dideoxynucleoside family (the same of AZT) have been synthesized and used in HIV-infected patients, with promising results. Nevertheless, new compounds with different mechanisms of action, and with excellent anti-HIV efficacy need to be developed, particularly those that can inhibit the late stages of HIV replication. This will permit a polychemotherapeutic approach against HIV infection that, as in the case of anticancer chemotherapy, has conceivably better chances to be effective in patients with HIV-related disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Chemotherapy for human immunodeficiency virus infection. Current status and perspectives].

The role of drugs inhibiting viral replication in patients infected with HIV has been confirmed. Until now only dideoxynucleosides, which are reverse transcriptase inhibitors, have demonstrated antiviral activity in humans. A number of compounds acting on other steps of the viral cycle are currently being evaluated and clinical trials are being performed. Some investigators are attempting to inhibit the binding of viral particles to target cells and their penetration into these by acting on the interaction between HIV ant the CD4 molecule. Another approach consists in the characterization of enzymatic activities which are specific of HIV, other than reverse transcriptase, such as ribonuclease H, integrase or protease, in order to prepare specific inhibitors. Attempts are made to inhibit retroviral gene expression and production of viral particles in infected cells. The development of new nucleoside analogues and drugs with mechanisms of action and toxicities different from those of zidovudine should allow in the near future combination chemotherapy of HIV infection.

Dideoxynucleosides↗

Nucleobase transporter-mediated permeation of 2',3'-dideoxyguanosine in human erythrocytes and human T-lymphoblastoid CCRF-CEM cells.

Several 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides (ddNs), agents that inhibit the replication of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus, enter mammalian cells by simple diffusion. In this report, we show that the membrane permeation of 2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (ddG) in human erythrocytes and CCRF-CEM cells, in contrast with that of other ddNs, is transporter-mediated. Inward fluxes of ddG in both cell types were inhibited by adenine, hypoxanthine, and acyclovir, but not by inhibitors of nucleoside transport (nitrobenzylthioinosine, dipyridamole, dilazep). Fluxes of ddG in human erythrocytes were attributable to a single, rate-saturable process (Km, 380 +/- 90 microM and Vmax, 7.9 +/- 0.8 pmol/s/microliter cell water) that was competitively inhibited by adenine (Ki, 16 microM). These results showed that ddG entered human erythrocytes and CCRF-CEM cells by a transporter-mediated process that was also the basis for entry of purine nucleobases. In contrast, inward fluxes of 2,6-diaminopurine-2',3'-dideoxyriboside (ddDAPR), a prodrug of ddG, were not affected by purine nucleobases or nucleoside transport inhibitors in either cell type. Thus, the permeation properties of ddDAPR resembled those of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine, a diffusional permeant (cell uptake is transporter-independent), and contrasted with those of ddG, the deamination product of ddDAPR. This study demonstrated that the nucleobase moiety of ddNs is an important determinant of membrane permeation.

Biological Transport↗

Metabolism and DNA interaction of 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine in human bone marrow cells.

2',3'-Didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (D4T) is a potent inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with low hematological toxicity. In the present study, the cellular pharmacology of D4T was investigated in human bone marrow cells (BMC), in an attempt to understand the mechanism of the observed low bone marrow toxicity. After exposure of human BMC to 10 microM [3H]D4T for 24 hr, D4T-5'-triphosphate (D4T-TP) was the predominant metabolite, reaching a concentration of 0.3 pmol/10(6) cells. The D4T-5'-monophosphate levels were slightly lower, whereas the D4T-5'-diphosphate levels were about 6-fold lower than those of D4T-TP at 24 hr. Nucleic acids of human BMC exposed to 10 microM [3H]D4T for 24 hr were purified and analyzed by cesium sulfate density gradient centrifugation. No radioactivity was detected in the RNA region, whereas a limited amount was associated with the DNA region. The amount of label incorporated into DNA correlated with the extracellular D4T concentration and the length of incubation time. Enzymatic hydrolysis of radiolabeled DNA and subsequent analysis by high performance liquid chromatography demonstrated incorporation of both D4T and thymidine (dThd) into DNA. Degradation of D4T to thymine and subsequent formation of labeled dThd was also detected in human BMC. Pulse (24 hr)-chase (48 hr) experiments with 10 microM [3H]D4T demonstrated that the amount of radiolabel from D4T in DNA decreased over time during the chase. Under similar conditions, [3H]3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) incorporated into DNA of human BMC did not decrease during the chase. Although D4T-TP standard was demonstrated to be unstable at 37 degrees and neutral pH, D4T was much more stable in solution when incorporated into newly synthesized DNA isolated from human BMC, suggesting that enzymatic excision may be the mechanism for D4T removal from DNA. In summary, although higher concentrations of D4T-TP, compared with AZT-5'-triphosphate, are observed in human BMC, after exposure of cells to similar extracellular concentrations of parent drug, steady state levels of D4T incorporated into DNA are 10-50-fold lower, compared with AZT. Competition with dTTP formed by D4T metabolism and excision of D4T from DNA may be responsible, in part, for these effects. This study further demonstrates that incorporation of 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides into nuclear DNA of human BMC may be related to the ability of these anti-HIV agents to induce hematological side effects.

Antiviral Agents↗

Development of new potent and selective agents against HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus which replicates within critical cells of the immune system, particularly CD4+ T-cells and monocyte/macrophages, leading to a progressive loss of helper T-cells and profound immunosuppression. This condition is known as the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A rational screening strategy was adopted to evaluate new anti-HIV agents. Primary in vitro evaluation of antiviral compounds and studies of the relationship between structure and antiviral activity were carried out in a CD4+ T-cell line (MT-4). These cells develop a cytopathic effect (CPE) within a few days after infection. Initially, protection against the HIV-induced cytopathic effect as well as the MT-4 host cell cytotoxicity was determined by a highly automated evaluation system. Promising lead compounds emerging from these studies were then further investigated for their anti-HIV properties in other target cells and against different HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains. This strategy allowed the identification of several potent and selective inhibitors of HIV replication in vitro. Following the 3'-azidothymidine (AZT) lead, we synthesized and evaluated other 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside analogues with modifications in the base and/or sugar moiety. Based on their selectivity indexes in vitro, several congeners of this group, including 2',3'-thymidine (ddeThd, D4T) and 5-chloro-3'-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyuridine (FddClUrd), seem at least as promising as AZT. From a series of phosphonylmethoxyalkylpurines and -pyrimidines, 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) and 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (PMEDAP) emerged as a new class of broad-spectrum anti-retrovirus agents. Sulfated polysaccharides and sulfated polymers represent another class of compounds achieving high therapeutic indexes in vitro. Comparative studies allowed to define the structural requirements for anti-HIV activity. Finally, a rational screening strategy allowed the identification of tetrahydro-imidazo[4,5,1-jk][1,4]-benzodiazepine-2(1H)-one and -thione (TIBO) derivatives which represent a complete new class of anti-HIV-1 agents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antiviral Agents↗

Phosphorylation of 2',3'-dideoxyinosine by cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase of human lymphoid cells.

2',3'-Dideoxyinosine (ddlno) is a potent and selective inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus in human lymphoid cells and monocytes/macrophages. Earlier studies [J. Biol. Chem. 263:15354 (1988)] showed that anabolism of ddlno in human lymphoid cells is mediated via an initial step of phosphorylation and subsequent amination to dideoxy-AMP via adenylosuccinate synthetase/lyase. Evidence was obtained that neither adenosine kinase nor deoxycytidine kinase is involved in the phosphorylation of this compound in human lymphoid cells. We now find that, in the presence of MgCl2, KCl, and inosine-5'-monophosphate as phosphate donor, purified cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase catalyzed the phosphorylation of ddlno. Although not phosphate donors, ATP, diadenosine tetraphosphate, and glycerate-2,3-bisphosphate stimulate this phosphorylation by the nucleotidase 4-5-fold. In addition to ddlno, the antiviral nucleoside analogs 2',3'-dideoxyguanosine and carbovir were substrates for this enzyme. The relative phosphorylation of these compounds varied with the concentration of the phosphate donor IMP. Approximate Km values of the nucleotidase for inosine, ddlno, dideoxyguanosine, and carbovir were, respectively, 3.4, 0.5, 0.9, and 1.7 mM. Although the substrate activity of dideoxynucleosides is inefficient, it appears likely that this nucleotidase is responsible for the metabolism of these compounds to their active nucleotides, yielding antiviral activity in human lymphoid cells.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

[Perspectives in AIDS chemotherapy].

The author gives a survey of groups of substances which have a marked and selective effect on HI thus serving as potential chemotherapeutical means against AIDS. They can be divided into three groups: 1. anionic substances, 2. 2, 3-dideoxynucleoside analogues and 3. sulphate polysaccharides. The mechanism of the effect of the substances of the 2nd group probably inhibits reverse HIV transcriptase. The substances of the 3rd group are to prevent adsorption of virus particles by the cells. The substances of the 1st group inhibit HIV transcriptase but also interfere with the adsorption process of the virus particles, or with other stages and phases of the HIV replication cycle. The crystallized substances of these groups should be further studied as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of AIDS and other retrovirus infections (PMEA, D4T, dextran-sulphate, pentosan, polysulphate and others). The survey also includes information on the so-called anti-sense RNA.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Antiviral effects of 6-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine in rhesus monkeys acutely infected with simian immunodeficiency virus.

A lipophilic dideoxynucleoside analogue, 6-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (6-Cl-ddG), was expected to be effective against AIDS-related dementia. In this study, we tested the effect of 6-Cl-ddG on simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac239) replication in vitro and on acute infection of six rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with SIVmac239. This compound inhibited SIV-induced cytopathic effect in CEM x 174 cells and SIV replication in vitro with an ED50 value of 2.5 microM. A dose of 25 mg/kg 6-Cl-ddG was administered to three monkeys every 8 h for 10 days and an untreated group of three monkeys was injected with the solvent without drug. Although 6-Cl-ddG was not detected in the plasma, the metabolite ddG was maintained at a concentration of more than 3 microM for 8 h after administration. In the cerebrospinal fluid, the ddG concentration was 2 microM at 2 h after administration. SIV antigen (p27) and antibody appearance in the plasma were delayed for 5-8 days compared with the mock-treated group. The occurrence of lymphadenopathy in treated monkeys was delayed for 6 days compared with the mock-treated group. Signs of 6-Cl-ddG toxicity were minimal after the treatment. The results of this study provide further evidence that 6-Cl-ddG may act as a potent anti-human immunodeficiency virus agent in vivo.

Animals↗

Analysis of HIV-1 mutation patterns in patients failing antiretroviral therapy.

The emergence of mutations encoding drug resistance is supposed to be a significant limitation to the clinical efficacy of inhibitor compounds directed against specific HIV-1 enzymatic targets. We have used a commercial test (Visible Genetics Inc., Paris, France) to study the prevalence of mutations occurred in HIV-1 protease and reverse transcriptase (RT) genes in 93 HIV-1 infected patients treated with at least one regimen containing a protease inhibitor (PI) and failing to the current therapeutic regimen. Protease mutations conferring resistance to at least one PI were detected in 46/93 (49.4%) of strains, 25 (26.8%) of which showed resistance to all PIs. Reverse transcriptase mutations conferring resistance to at least one RT inhibitor were detected in 57/93 (61.2%) of strains, 18 (19.3%) of which showed resistance to all RT inhibitors. The most frequent RT mutations were T215Y/F, M41L, and M184V (41.9, 40.8, and 40.8%, respectively), while L63P, L10R/V, and A71V/T (58, 41.9, and 34.4%, respectively) were the most represented protease substitutions. We have found no mutations encoding for multiple dideoxynucleoside resistance (Q151M or T69SS). Twelve of our patients (12.9%) had no mutation encoding drug resistance and were completely sensitive to all RT and protease inhibitors. Therefore, not all virological failures are caused by HIV-1 genomic resistance.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗