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The ganciclovir implant plus oral ganciclovir versus parenteral cidofovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: The Ganciclovir Cidofovir Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the regimen of the ganciclovir implant plus oral ganciclovir to one of intravenous cidofovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and cytomegalovirus retinitis were randomized either to the regimen of the ganciclovir implant plus oral ganciclovir, 1 gm three times daily, or intravenous cidofovir, 5 mg/kg once weekly for two doses, followed by 5 mg/kg every other week. RESULTS: Mortality was similar between the two treatment groups. Mortality rates were 0.41 per person-year in patients assigned to the ganciclovir regimen and 0.49 per person-year in patients assigned to cidofovir (P =.59). Ocular outcomes were similar between the two groups. Retinitis progression occurred at a rate of 0.67 per person-year in the ganciclovir group and 0.71 per person-year in the cidofovir group (P =.72). A loss of visual acuity of 15 letters or more occurred at a rate of 0.78 per person-year in the ganciclovir group and 0.47 per person-year in the cidofovir group (P =.28). The rate of loss of visual field was 7 degrees per month in the ganciclovir group and 2 degrees per month in the cidofovir group (P =.048). Vitreous hemorrhage was more common in the ganciclovir implant group (0.13 per person-year) than in the cidofovir group (no cases, P =.014), whereas uveitis appeared to be more common in the cidofovir group (0.35 per person-year) than in the ganciclovir group (0.09 per person-year, P =.066). Nephrotoxicity (serum creatinine 1.6 mg/dL or greater) occurred at a rate of 0.18 per person-year in the ganciclovir group and 0.48 per person-year in the cidofovir group (P =.10). CONCLUSIONS: Although the small number of patients in this study limits definitive interpretation, these data suggest that in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, the regimens of the ganciclovir implant plus oral ganciclovir and of intravenous cidofovir are similar for controlling cytomegalovirus retinitis and preventing visual loss but have different side effects.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Intravenous cidofovir for compassionate use in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis. Spanish Cidofovir Study Group.

We report the compassionate use of intravenous cidofovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in 51 patients with AIDS who were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). After a median of 9 doses, 49 patients showed no retinitis activity. However, treatment was stopped in 17 patients because of adverse reactions and in 5 patients for other reasons. Two deaths were considered related to the drug. Iritis developed in 21 patients (41.2%), a frequency higher than that reported during the pre-HAART era. Patients with iritis had median CD4 cell counts-both at nadir and at the initiation of cidofovir therapy-approximately 3 times higher than those for patients without iritis (P=.003 and P=.05, respectively). Our study confirms the efficacy of cidofovir therapy for AIDS-associated cytomegalovirus retinitis. Our data suggest that the risk of iritis may be higher for patients with better immunological status, probably because of their enhanced ability to mount an inflammatory response.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Enhanced inhibition of orthopoxvirus replication in vitro by alkoxyalkyl esters of cidofovir and cyclic cidofovir.

The nucleotide phosphonates cidofovir (CDV) and cyclic cidofovir (cCDV) are potent antiviral compounds when administered parenterally but are not well absorbed orally. These compounds have been reported to have activity against orthopoxvirus replication in vitro and in animal models when administered parenterally or by aerosol. To obtain better oral activity, we synthesized a novel series of analogs of CDV and cCDV by esterification with two long-chain alkoxyalkanols, 3-hexadecyloxy-1-propanol (HDP-CDV; HDP-cCDV) or 3-octadecyloxy-1-ethanol (ODE-CDV; ODE-cCDV). Their activities were evaluated and compared with those of CDV and cCDV in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells infected with vaccinia virus (VV) or cowpox virus (CV) using a plaque reduction assay. The 50% effective concentrations (EC(50)s) against VV in HFF cells for CDV and cCDV were 46.2 and 50.6 microM compared with 0.84 and 3.8 microM for HDP-CDV and HDP-cCDV, respectively. The EC(50)s for ODE-CDV and ODE-cCDV were 0.20 and 1.1 microM, respectively. The HDP analogs were 57- and 13-fold more active than the parent nucleotides, whereas the ODE analogs were 231- and 46-fold more active than the unmodified CDV and cCDV. Similar results were obtained using CV. Cytotoxicity studies indicated that although the analogs were more toxic than the parent nucleotides, the selective index was increased by 4- to 13-fold. These results indicate that the alkoxyalkyl esters of CDV and cCDV have enhanced activity in vitro and need to be evaluated for their oral absorption and efficacy in animal models.

Animals↗

Alkoxyalkyl esters of cidofovir and cyclic cidofovir exhibit multiple-log enhancement of antiviral activity against cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus replication in vitro.

The incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is declining in AIDS patients but remains a significant clinical problem in patients with organ transplants and bone marrow transplants. Prophylaxis with ganciclovir (GCV) or valganciclovir reduces the incidence of CMV disease but may lead to the emergence of drug-resistant virus with mutations in the UL97 or UL54 gene. It would be useful to have other types of oral therapy for CMV disease. We synthesized hexadecyloxypropyl and octadecyloxyethyl derivatives of cyclic cidofovir (cCDV) and cidofovir (CDV) and found that these novel analogs had 2.5- to 4-log increases in antiviral activity against CMV compared to the activities of unmodified CDV and cCDV. Multiple-log increases in activity were noted against laboratory CMV strains and various CMV clinical isolates including GCV-resistant strains with mutations in the UL97 and UL54 genes. Preliminary cell studies suggest that the increase in antiviral activity may be partially explained by a much greater cell penetration of the novel analogs. 1-O-Hexadecyloxypropyl-CDV, 1-O-octadecyloxyethyl-CDV, and their corresponding cCDV analogs are worthy of further preclinical evaluation for treatment and prevention of CMV and herpes simplex virus infections in humans.

Animals↗

Comparative activities of lipid esters of cidofovir and cyclic cidofovir against replication of herpesviruses in vitro.

Cidofovir (CDV) is an effective therapy for certain human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections in immunocompromised patients that are resistant to other antiviral drugs, but the compound is not active orally. To improve oral bioavailability, a series of lipid analogs of CDV and cyclic CDV (cCDV), including hexadecyloxypropyl-CDV and -cCDV and octadecyloxyethyl-CDV and -cCDV, were synthesized and found to have multiple-log-unit enhanced activity against HCMV in vitro. On the basis of the activity observed with these analogs, additional lipid esters were synthesized and evaluated for their activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, human cytomegalovirus, murine cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and HHV-8. Using several different in vitro assays, concentrations of drug as low as 0.001 microM reduced herpesvirus replication by 50% (EC50) with the CDV analogs, whereas the cCDV compounds were generally less active. In most of the assays performed, the EC50 values of the lipid esters were at least 100-fold lower than the EC50 values for unmodified CDV or cCDV. The lipid analogs were also active against isolates that were resistant to CDV, ganciclovir, or foscarnet. These results indicate that the lipid ester analogs are considerably more active than CDV itself against HSV, VZV, CMV, EBV, HHV-6, and HHV-8 in vitro, suggesting that they may have potential for the treatment of infections caused by a variety of herpesviruses.

Antiviral Agents↗

Cidofovir in the treatment of cytomegaloviral disease.

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical pharmacology and microbiology of cidofovir in the therapy of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease. DATA SOURCES: Pertinent literature was identified via a MEDLINE search (October 1986-February 1997), and data from abstracts presented at recent scientific meetings were also included; unpublished information was provided by the manufacturer. STUDY SELECTION: Antiviral activity data were included if widely accepted methodology was used. All clinical data currently available from human studies were also included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Cidofovir is similar to ganciclovir in mechanism of action; however, cidofovir does not require viral enzymes for activation. Although the half-life of cidofovir in plasma is only 2.6 hours, the intracellular half-life may be much longer, allowing efficacy with biweekly maintenance dosing. In vitro, cidofovir appears to be equally or more effective than the other agents currently available for the treatment of CMV. In vivo, cidofovir appears to be effective in delaying the progression of CMV retinitis, although no clinical trials to date have directly compared cidofovir with either ganciclovir or foscarnet. Current intravenous dose recommendations are 5 mg/kg once weekly for two doses (induction), and then 5 mg/kg once every other week (maintenance). Since cidofovir is cleared almost entirely by the kidneys, dosage adjustments must be made in patients with impaired renal function. Disadvantages of cidofovir primarily include its risks of adverse drug reactions, such as nephrotoxicity, which is likely to occur in up to 50% of patients if appropriate preventative measures are not taken. Neutropenia and constitutional reactions to probenecid are also commonly encountered during the course of cidofovir therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Cidofovir is the first acyclic phosphonate nucleoside antiviral agent to be approved for general use in the US. In addition to delaying the progression of CMV retinitis, cidofovir may provide some protective benefits to patients at risk for developing the disease and may be active against certain strains of virus resistant to other currently available therapies. Another advantage of cidofovir is its infrequent dosage schedule, which may prove beneficial in patients who are not compliant with daily intravenous dosing regimens. When determining the appropriate treatment for a patient with CMV retinitis, the benefits of using cidofovir must be weighed carefully against the risk of potentially serious adverse effects.

Antiviral Agents↗

Parenteral cidofovir for cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS: the HPMPC peripheral cytomegalovirus retinitis trial. A randomized, controlled trial. Studies of Ocular complications of AIDS Research Group in Collaboration with the AIDS Clinical Trials Group.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a common infection and a major cause of visual loss in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate intravenous cidofovir as a treatment for CMV retinitis. DESIGN: Two-stage, multicenter, phase II/III, randomized, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Ophthalmology and AIDS services at tertiary care medical centers. PATIENTS: 64 patients with AIDS and previously untreated, small, peripheral CMV retinitis lesions (that is, patients at low risk for loss of visual acuity). INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the deferral group, in which treatment was deferred until retinitis progressed; the low-dose cidofovir group, which received cidofovir, 5 mg/kg of body weight once weekly for 2 weeks, then maintenance therapy with cidofovir, 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks; or the high-dose cidofovir group, which received cidofovir, 5 mg/kg once weekly for 2 weeks, then maintenance therapy with cidofovir, 5 mg/kg once every 2 weeks. To minimize nephrotoxicity, cidofovir was administered with hydration and probenecid. MEASUREMENTS: Progression of retinitis, evaluated in a masked manner by a fundus photograph reading center; the amount of retinal area involved by CMV; the loss of visual acuity; and morbidity. RESULTS: Median time to progression was 64 days in the low-dose cidofovir group and 21 days in the deferral group (P = 0.052, log-rank test). The median time to progression was not reached in the high-dose cidofovir group but was 20 days in the deferral group (P = 0.009, log-rank test). Analysis of the rates of increase in the retinal area affected by CMV confirmed the data on time to progression. The three groups had similar rates of visual loss. Proteinuria of 2+ or more occurred at rates of 2.6 per person-year in the deferral group, 2.8 per person-year in the low-dose cidofovir group (P > 0.02), and 6.8 per person-year in the high-dose cidofovir group (P = 0.135). No patient developed 4+ proteinuria, but two cidofovir recipients developed persistent elevations of serum creatinine levels at more than 177 mumol/L (2.0 mg/dL). Reactions to probenecid occurred at a rate of 0.70 per person-year. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous cidofovir, high- or low-dose, effectively slowed the progression of CMV retinitis. Concomitant probenecid and hydration therapy, intermittent dosing, and monitoring for proteinuria seemed to minimize but not eliminate the risk for nephrotoxicity.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

The nucleotide analog cidofovir suppresses basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) expression and signaling and induces apoptosis in FGF2-overexpressing endothelial cells.

Cidofovir [(S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine; (S)-HPMPC] is an antiviral drug that has been approved for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS. Cidofovir also possesses potent activity against human papillomavirus-induced tumors in animal models and patients. We have recently shown that cidofovir inhibits the development of vascular tumors induced by basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2)-overexpressing endothelial cells (FGF2-T-MAE) in mice. Here, we demonstrate that the inhibitory activity of cidofovir in FGF2-T-MAE cells may result from the specific induction of apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that cidofovir induces accumulation of cells in the S phase and, upon prolonged treatment, a significant increase in sub-G1 cells, exhibiting a subdiploid DNA content. Moreover, annexin V binding, an early event in apoptosis induction, was increased in cidofovir-treated FGF2-T-MAE cells. Cidofovir also caused nuclear fragmentation and the activation of caspase-3-like proteases, as evidenced by the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase. In addition, cidofovir treatment of FGF2-T-MAE cells resulted in a pronounced up-regulation of the tumor suppressor protein p53. However, the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 remained unchanged, and cidofovir did not induce the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. In addition, cidofovir did not suppress the phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt, a transmitter of antiapoptotic survival signals, or its downstream regulator Bad, indicating that the Akt pathway is not affected by cidofovir in FGF2-T-MAE cells. However, the compound inhibited the expression of FGF2 and FGF2 signaling through Erk42/44, as shown by Western blot analysis. Our results indicate that cidofovir inhibits the growth of FGF2-T-MAE cells via inhibition of FGF2 expression and signaling and via the induction of apoptosis. These findings suggest that the clinical use of cidofovir might be expanded to tumors that are not induced by oncogenic viruses.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, metabolism, and tissue distribution of cidofovir (HPMPC) and cyclic HPMPC in rats.

The pharmacokinetics, distribution, and metabolism of [14C]cidofovir and its cyclic analog {[2-14C]-1-[((S)-2-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,4, 2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl]cytosine; [14C]cyclic HPMPC} were compared after administration to Sprague-Dawley rats. After intravenous (iv) administration of [14C]cidofovir (3 or 5 mg/kg) or [14C]cyclic HPMPC (5 mg/kg), plasma concentrations of total radioactivity declined in a multiexponential manner for both drugs with terminal half-lives of 7-11 hr. No metabolites of cidofovir were observed in plasma. However, iv [14C]cyclic HPMPC was converted in vivo to cidofovir (3.9% of the AUC of total radioactivity). The corrected half-life of cyclic HPMPC was 0.53 +/- 0.05 hr. The clearance of iv cidofovir (0.60-0.79 liter/hr/kg) was significantly less than that of cyclic HPMPC (1.10 +/- 0.12 liter/hr/kg). Cyclic HPMPC was more efficiently secreted by the kidney than cidofovir. The steady-state volume of distribution of cyclic HPMPC (0.32 +/- 0.5 liter/kg) was substantially less than that of cidofovir (0.9-3.0 liter/ kg). Concentrations in kidney at 24 hr after iv administration of 5 mg/kg were approximately 20-fold higher for cidofovir (6.6 micrograms-eq/g) than for cyclic HPMPC, whereas levels of radioactivity in the remaining tissues were similar for both drugs. This is consistent with the improved therapeutic index observed for cyclic HPMPC in animals. After iv administration of [14C]cidofovir (3 mg/kg), concentrations in most tissues declined with half-lives > 12 hr, presumably reflecting the long intracellular half-life of phosphorylated drug. Kidneys and liver of animals given iv [14C]cidofovir (5 mg/kg) contained unchanged cidofovir (35-65%), metabolite I (attributed to cidovofir phosphocholine) (29-60%), and a peak coeluting with cyclic HPMPC on three different HPLC systems (metabolite II) (5-7%). Kidneys, liver, and lung of animals given iv [14C]cyclic HPMPC contained cyclic HPMPC (1-6%), cidofovir (44-50%), and metabolite I (44-54%). The subcutaneous bioavailability of cidofovir was 91.5%. The subcutaneous and oral bioavailabilities of cyclic HPMPC were 82.7% and 3.50 +/- 1.07%, respectively, based on total radioactivity.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Cidofovir and experimental herpetic stromal disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare topical cidofovir with topical trifluridine for the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex type 1 stromal keratitis in rabbits. METHODS: The RE strain of herpes simplex virus 1 was injected into the central stroma of both eyes of New Zealand white rabbits. Two to 3 days after virus inoculation, the rabbits were randomized to treatment groups of 10 each and treated with 1% trifluridine administered 5 or 7 times a day, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.2% cidofovir administered twice a day, fluorometholone administered twice a day, or balanced salt solution (BSS) administered twice a day (control) until day 21 after injection. The treated corneas were examined 3 times a week and the severity of stromal keratitis was graded in a masked fashion. To evaluate the ability of cidofovir to treat established stromal disease, groups of 10 rabbits each were inoculated with herpes simplex virus and treated with 1% cidofovir twice a day, 1% trifluridine 5 times a day, fluorometholone twice a day, or BSS twice a day beginning on day 7 after virus inoculation through day 21. RESULTS: Treatment with 0.2% cidofovir twice a day was not effective in preventing the appearance of stromal disease (P = .89), whereas treatment with 0.5% (P<.001) or 1% (P<.001) cidofovir twice a day or 1% trifluridine 5 times a day (P<.001) or 7 times a day (P = .006) significantly reduced the appearance of stromal keratitis on the 8 evaluation days, compared with BSS treatment (F test analysis of variance). There was no difference between the eyes treated with 0.5% cidofovir twice a day and those treated with 1% trifluridine 5 times a day. Treatment with 1% cidofovir was not effective in treating established stromal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Cidofovir and trifluridine are highly effective in preventing the appearance of herpetic stromal disease. Cidofovir is as effective as, but no more effective than, trifluridine in this model. Neither cidofovir nor trifluridine benefits established stromal disease, however. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cidofovir is a new, potent antiviral that seems similar in efficacy to trifluridine and is effective in the prevention of the development of stromal herpes, but is not effective in the treatment of established stromal disease in which hypersensitivity predominates.

Administration, Topical↗

An animal model for cidofovir (HPMPC) toxicity: intraocular pressure and histopathologic effects.

Intravitreal cidofovir has been shown to be a long acting and highly efficacious treatment for CMV retinitis; however decrease in IOP is an adverse effect. We wanted to determine the effect of cidofovir on intraocular pressure (IOP) in the guinea pig, and rabbit eye to develop an animal model of cidofovir induced ocular hypotony and to study the histopathology of this toxicity. Twenty-eight guinea pig eyes were injected with cidofovir yielding final intravitreal concentrations of 25, 200, 625 and 2000 micrograms ml-1. Eighteen eyes of pigmented rabbits were injected with cidofovir yielding final intravitreal concentrations of 625 and 2000 micrograms ml-1. A carefully calibrated low volume displacement manometer system using a micro-transducer was used to determine the IOP measurements in the guinea pig and rabbit eyes. Histology was evaluated using light and electron microscopy. Injection of 6.25 micrograms of cidofovir intravitreally (vitreous concentration of 25 micrograms ml-1) is the highest non-toxic dose in the guinea pig; the IOP was unchanged at two and four weeks after injection with this dose; histologically the eyes were normal. A single injection of 50 micrograms of cidofovir intravitreally (vitreous concentration of 200 micrograms ml-1) caused a long lasting (9.3 mmHg) decrease in IOP (approximately 50% of baseline). At this dose there were only mild and variable histologic changes in the ciliary body and the retina. Higher doses of 156.25 micrograms and 500 micrograms of cidofovir (vitreous concentrations of 625, and 2000 micrograms ml-1, respectively) caused moderate to severe ciliary body and retinal changes. In rabbit eyes there was a mild but statistically insignificant pressure drop with doses of 875 micrograms cidofovir intravitreally (vitreous concentration of 625 micrograms ml-1); retina was within normal limits after injection with this dose, there were mild changes in the ciliary body. There was a total destruction of ciliary body and loss of nonpigmented epithelial cells with injections of 2800 micrograms of cidofovir intravitreally (vitreous concentration of 2000 micrograms ml-1): retina was relatively well preserved. The guinea pig eye shows similar reduction in IOP and ciliary body changes as are seen in the human eye after intravitreal cidofovir and also appears to have a similar dose-response curve. However, the reduction of IOP caused by cidofovir occurs in the guinea pig eye at a concentration 40 times higher than was observed in the human eye.

Animals↗

Comparative effects of cidofovir and cyclic HPMPC on lethal cowpox and vaccinia virus respiratory infections in mice.

BACKGROUND: Cidofovir is approved for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in humans. Although highly effective, the drug can cause renal toxicity in patients. There is much interest in cidofovir as a potential treatment for smallpox, monkeypox and other orthopoxvirus infections. A cyclic phosphonate form of cidofovir, 1-[((S)-2-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,4,2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl]cytosine (cyclic HPMPC), was reported to be less nephrotoxic than cidofovir in animals. Thus, it was deemed important to directly compare the activities of cidofovir and cyclic HPMPC against poxvirus infections in mouse models. METHODS: The compounds were evaluated by intraperitoneal and intranasal infection routes using multiple doses of each agent, with single doses of compound given 24 h after virus challenge. RESULTS: By intraperitoneal route, cidofovir protected mice from mortality at 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, whereas cyclic HPMPC was similarly protective only at 160 mg/kg. By intranasal route, cidofovir was active down to 5 mg/kg, compared to cyclic HPMPC efficacy at 20 and 40 mg/kg. Intraperitoneal doses of 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg cidofovir significantly reduced mortality from vaccinia virus infections, compared to doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg cyclic HPMPC. Intranasal treatment with cidofovir at 5-40 mg/kg was comparably effective to cyclic HPMPC doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg in vaccinia virus infections. Active doses significantly reduced lung virus titers and lung consolidation. Overall, the potency of cyclic HPMPC was about 4 times less than that of cidofovir. CONCLUSIONS: Although cyclic HPMPC is reported to exhibit reduced nephrotoxicity in vivo, it is also less potent than cidofovir against orthopoxvirus infections. For this reason, cyclic HPMPC may not offer any advantage over cidofovir in treating these infections in humans.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Cidofovir incorporation into human keratinocytes with episomal HPV 16 results in nonselective cytotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment; however, medical therapy including cidofovir, a cytosine analog, has been investigated. Human papillomavirus does not encode a viral DNA polymerase, which is the known target of cidofovir in cytomegalovirus infections. METHODS: In an effort to better understand the usefulness of cidofovir in the treatment of HPV-related disease, we tested cidofovir's ability to inhibit growth, alter gene expression, and inhibit genome replication. RESULTS: With the use of carbon 14-labeled cidofovir in episomal HPV 16-containing keratinocytes, there was a minimal increase in cidofovir incorporation into episomal DNA versus genomic DNA. Cidofovir decreased the copies of episomal HPV 16 in keratinocytes; however, the copies per cell returned to baseline levels once cidofovir was removed. Expression of a viral oncogene (HPV 16 E6) in transformed keratinocytes with episomal HPV 16 was not decreased by cidofovir. Cytotoxicity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma lines exposed to cidofovir correlated with cell doubling time, and not with HPV status. Also, tonsil keratinocytes transformed with episomal HPV 16 did not exhibit greater cidofovir-mediated toxicity than did telomerase-transformed keratinocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that any potential in vivo benefit of cidofovir therapy results from non-viral-specific cell toxicity at the site of application.

Cidofovir↗

Cidofovir: a review of its use in cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS.

UNLABELLED: Cidofovir is an antiviral nucleotide analogue with significant activity against cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other herpesviruses. The drug is indicated for the treatment of CMV retinitis, a sight-threatening condition, in patients with AIDS. Cidofovir has a long intracellular half-life which allows for a prolonged interval (2 weeks) between maintenance doses. In contrast, other intravenous treatment options for patients with CMV retinitis (i.e. ganciclovir and foscarnet) must be administered on a daily basis. The efficacy of intravenous cidofovir has been demonstrated in patients with AIDS and previously untreated CMV retinitis in multicentre randomised trials, and in a dose-finding study of cidofovir in patients with AIDS and previously treated relapsing CMV retinitis. Clinical trials have been relatively small (n < or = 100 patients) and no studies have been conducted directly comparing intravenous cidofovir with the more established intravenous agents, ganciclovir or foscarnet. Indirect comparisons of clinical trial data suggest that intravenous cidofovir may have similar efficacy to intravenous ganciclovir or foscarnet in delaying progression of CMV retinitis. However, such comparisons must be made with caution because of potential differences in patient populations, data analysis techniques and interobserver variability in the masked assessment of retinal photographs. Nevertheless, intravenous cidofovir offers a less intrusive administration regimen than intravenous ganciclovir or foscarnet because of its prolonged dosage interval. Since therapy is life-long, patients receiving daily intravenous ganciclovir or foscarnet (but not cidofovir) usually require an indwelling central venous catheter and are therefore at increased risk of serious infection. The relatively long dosage interval for cidofovir may also have favourable implications in terms of overall treatment costs and patient quality of life, although specific data are very limited. Potentially irreversible nephrotoxicity is the major treatment-limiting adverse event associated with intravenous cidofovir in patients with AIDS-related CMV retinitis. Anterior uveitis/iritis has been reported frequently with intravenous cidofovir in postmarketing reports and a small number of patients have developed hypotony. Other treatment options for CMV retinitis are also associated with serious adverse events, and selection of pharmacotherapy will depend on a number of factors including retinitis lesion characteristics, patient quality-of-life issues and efficacy and tolerability profiles of available therapies. CONCLUSION: Although the extent of its use may be limited by its adverse event profile, cidofovir offers a useful addition to the limited number of drugs available for the treatment of CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Intralesional cidofovir for pediatric recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare disease response among children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) who underwent combined surgical debulking and intralesional cidofovir injections vs repeated surgical debulking only. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review; follow-up range: 16 to 56 months. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Seven children with RRP, including 4 subjects treated with cidofovir and 3 controls matched for age and initial papilloma staging score. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects treated with cidofovir underwent combined surgical debulking and intralesional cidofovir injection every 2 months until disease remission. Control subjects underwent repeated surgical debulking at individually determined intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraoperative endoscopic photographs were retrospectively assigned papilloma staging scores. Cidofovir and control group comparisons were made using nonparametric 2-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) testing, and comparisons of initial and final papilloma staging scores were made using nonparametric matched-pair Wilcoxon signed-rank testing. RESULTS: The final cidofovir group scores were significantly lower than the control group scores (P < .05). Within-group differences between initial and final scores were not significant (cidofovir group, P = .07; control group, P = .29). CONCLUSIONS: Four children with RRP were safely and successfully treated with intralesional cidofovir injection. Consideration should be given to using cidofovir more widely for treatment of pediatric RRP. Larger numbers in the cidofovir and control groups are needed in future studies to determine the true impact of cidofovir on management of this disease.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Potent inhibition of hemangiosarcoma development in mice by cidofovir.

The acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogue cidofovir is a broad-spectrum anti-DNA virus agent, which also possesses potent inhibitory activity against various tumors associated with papillomaviruses in animal models and patients. Moreover, we recently described the potent inhibition of polyomavirus (PyV)-induced hemangioma formation in rats by cidofovir. This activity could not be explained by an antiviral mechanism. We have now evaluated the effect of cidofovir on the growth of hemangiosarcomas originating from PyV-transformed (PV/2b/35) cells, which do not produce polyomavirus. In vitro, cidofovir proved to be cytostatic for PV/2b/35 cells at a 50% cytostatic concentration (CC(50)) of 2.3 microg/ml. At cidofovir concentrations > or =20 microg/ml, cytotoxicity due to induction of apoptosis was observed. In vivo, intratumoral therapy with cidofovir, at 100 mg/kg 3 times a week, completely inhibited the development and even caused regression of established PV/2b/35 hemangiosarcomas in nude mice. Five days after the start of treatment, few proliferating cells were noted in the cidofovir-treated tumors, whereas control tumors were characterized by high expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Moreover, cidofovir induced apoptosis in the hemangiosarcomas, as evidenced by Tunel (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) staining. Also after intraperitoneal administration, cidofovir afforded a prominent protection against the growth of intraperitoneally or intracerebrally inoculated hemangiosarcoma cells in SCID mice. In conclusion, cidofovir possesses a direct antitumor activity, which is mediated by induction of tumor cell apoptosis. Cidofovir should be further explored for its potential in the treatment of fast-growing vascular tumors, like hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas.

Animals↗

Development of herpes simplex virus disease in patients who are receiving cidofovir.

BACKGROUND: Cidofovir is a nucleotide analogue with antiviral activity against a wide range of DNA viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV). In vitro resistance to cidofovir has been reported with use of laboratory HSV strains; clinical failure of cidofovir therapy for HSV disease has also been reported with an isolate that was susceptible by in vitro testing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients with HSV disease that was unresponsive to cidofovir therapy had viral isolates obtained and stored; the isolates were analyzed for antiviral susceptibility by an antigen reduction assay (ARA). PCR cloning and automated sequencing were performed for isolates that displayed in vitro resistance. Mutations were identified by comparison with the appropriate HSV consensus sequence. RESULTS: An HSV type 2 (HSV-2) isolate recovered from patient 2 displayed in vitro cidofovir resistance with an inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) of 13.06 microg/mL. HSV type 1 isolates recovered from patients 1 and 3 had elevated IC50s to cidofovir (7.32 and 8.23 microg/mL, respectively); however, these isolates did not meet the cutoff point for resistance according to the ARA. Sequencing of a cidofovir-resistant HSV-2 isolate revealed several DNA polymerase mutations that had not been previously described during in vitro resistance selection. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of cidofovir resistance in HSV developing in vivo. The 3 sequenced clones all contained mutations truncating the pol C' end, suggesting that this region may be critical for cidofovir antiviral activity. In addition, the presence of multiple mutations suggests that the altered DNA polymerase of cidofovir-resistant virus may have introduced additional mutations into the viral genome. Introduction of the mutations identified in wild-type HSV strains is needed before the resistance phenotype can be definitively associated with any of the mutations found. Additional studies are needed to delineate the mechanisms of cidofovir resistance in HSV.

Antiviral Agents↗