Oral (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine treatment of severe herpes zoster in cancer patients.

BVDU [(E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine] is a highly potent and selective anti-herpes drug. It is particularly active against Varicella zoster virus, as demonstrated in cell culture and animals (monkeys). BVDU has been administered orally, at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg/day for 5 days, to 20 patients with severe localised or disseminated Herpes zoster. All patients had a malignant disorder for which they had been given intensive chemo- or radiotherapy. Upon BVDU treatment a rapid cessation of the acute Herpes zoster episode was noted in all but one patient. In the majority of patients progression of the infection was arrested within 1 day of starting treatment. No toxic side-effects could be attributed to the drug at the dosage used.