PRODRUGS OF PHOSPHATES, PHOSPHONATES, AND PHOSPHINATES

The objective of this paper is to review the literature on the use of prodrugs to overcome the drug delivery obstacles associated with phosp hate, phosphonate and phosphinate functional group-containing drugs. T his is an important area of research because, although we have been su ccessful at identifying numerous phosphate and phosphonate functional group-containing drugs as antiviral and anticancer agents, as well as for other uses, our ability to orally deliver these drugs and to targe t them to desired sites has led to limtied success. Various acyloxymet hyl- and aryl-ester prodrugs have shown promise. Alternative and imagi native approaches may be necessary before complete success is realized . It is our hope that this review will stimulate further innovative pr odrug research into overcoming the barriers to the delivery of these i mportant drugs.