Comparative efficacy and selectivity of some nucleoside analogs against Epstein-Barr virus.

The effects of (2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine (FIAC), 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyluridine (FMAU), 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouridine (FIAU), (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVdU), and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (DHPG or BW B759U) on the replication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in vitro were evaluated and compared with that of acyclovir (ACV). The relative potencies of these drugs, on the basis of anti-EBV activity, were: FIAC = FIAU greater than FMAU greater than DHPG greater than BVdU greater than ACV; on the basis of the therapeutic index they were: BVdU greater than DHPG greater than FIAC greater than ACV greater than FIAU greater than FMAU. Differential inhibition of EBV-associated polypeptides by these drugs was observed.