RFI-641, a potent respiratory syncytial virus inhibitor

Clayton C. Huntley, William J. Weiss, Anna Gazumyan, Aron Buklan, Boris Feld, William Hu, Thomas R. Jones, Timothy Murphy, Antonia A. Nikitenko, Bryan O'Hara, Gregory Prince, Susan Quartuccio, Yuri E. Raifeld, Philip Wyde, John F. O'Connell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a paramyxovirus, is a major cause of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections in infants, young children, and adults. RFI-641 is a novel anti-RSV agent with potent in vitro and in vivo activity. RFI-641 is active against both RSV type A and B strains. The viral specificity and the large therapeutic window of RFI-641 (> 100-fold) indicate that the antiviral activity of the compound is not due to adverse effects on normal cells. The potent in vitro activity of RFI-641 can be translated to efficacy in vivo: RFI-641 is efficacious when administered prophylactically by the intranasal route in mice, cotton rats, and African green monkeys. RFI-641 is also efficacious when administered therapeutically (24 h postinfection) in the monkey model. Mechanism of action studies indicate that RFI-641 blocks viral F protein-mediated fusion and cell syncytium formation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)841-847
Number of pages7
JournalAntimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Volume46
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'RFI-641, a potent respiratory syncytial virus inhibitor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this