Fomivirsen

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis can rapidly lead to blindness in patients w ith acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fomivirsen is a novel antis ense drug with a el-nucleotide sequence complementary to the immediate earl y region 2 of CMV messenger ribonucleic acid. In clinical trials, fomivirse n was shown to provide effective treatment for newly diagnosed, peripheral CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS and in those with relapsed CMV retiniti s that is unresponsive to conventional therapy. These trials also demonstra ted that local treatment with fomivirsen does not result in measurable syst emic absorption of fomivirsen or its metabolites. Thus, there is minimal ri sk of systemic exposure to fomivirsen or its metabolites with intravitreal dosing at either 165 mug or 330 mug. The only clinically relevant adverse e vents are mild to moderate local ocular effects that are transient and mana geable with topical medications, (C) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserve d.