IMMUNOMODULATING AND ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITIES OF THE IMIDAZOQUINOLINE S-28463

Recently, a new class of immunomodulating agents, represented by the m olecules imiquimod and R-842, has demonstrated potent antiviral and an titumor activities in animal models. In this study, another representa tive of this class, S-28463 pha-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-1- ethanol) was evaluated for its immunomodulating and antiviral activiti es. S-28463 induced IFN and other cytokines in vivo in mice, rats, mon keys and in vitro in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures, S-28463 showed potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus -challenged guinea pigs when given subcutaneously, dermally, or intrav aginally 24 h before infection, Antiviral activity in guinea pigs corr elated with the induction of serum 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase act ivity, Thus, S-28463, like the other imidazoquinolines, demonstrates p otent antiviral and immunomodulating effects in a number of models.