IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ANTI-HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ACTIVITY OF PMEA (ADEFOVIR)

PMEA {9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine; adefovir} has shown anti-c ytomegalovirus activity in animal models and in preliminary human tria ls. PMEA diphosphate (PMEApp), the active antiviral metabolite of PMEA , is a potent inhibitor of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA polymerase . PMEA is efficiently taken up and phosphorylated to PMEApp in numerou s human cell lines. In vitro replication of wild type and drug resista nt HCMV clinical isolates is effectively inhibited by PMEA. PMEA in co mbination with other anti-HCMV agents shows additive inhibition of HCM V replication. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.