Cidofovir

Category: Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates

Registration & producer: Vistide 1996 (Gilead Sciences)

Cidofovir (HPMPC) was the first marketed compound from the family of ANPs approved for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients. Suppression of CMV replication is caused by the selective inhibition of viral DNA polymerase, resulting in blockage of viral replication.

Cidofovir is also used off-label for the treatment of severe cases of (malignizing) papillomatoses, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy caused by the JC virus, adenovirus infections, and some rather obscure severe infections caused by poxviruses (vaccinia, orf, molluscum contagiosum).

Graphics: Tomáš Belloň / IOCB Prague