L-nucleosides as chemotherapeutic agents

Nucleoside analogues have been the cornerstone of antiviral therapy over th e past thirty years and, currently, 16 commonly used antiviral drugs belong to this category. Although for long time it was believed that only D-nucle osides, possessing a 'natural' stereochemistry, could elicit biological act ivity, in the last decade this has been proven not to be true. 3TC, a L-nuc leoside analogue, is one of the most effective anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis B virus drugs, and nine other L-nucleosides are currently undergoing clinic al trials and/or preclinical studies as antiviral or antitumoral agents. Th is minireview summarizes some biological features and the current status of these promising L-nucleoside analogues. (C) 2001 Federation of European Mi crobiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.