Biological Activity
Letermovir is a novel inhibitor of CMV, which targets the viral terminase complex and remains active against virus resistant to DNA polymerase inhibitors.
In Vitro
AIC246 has consistent antiviral efficacy, and there is remarkable selectivity of AIC246 for human cytomegaloviruses[1]. AD169 mutant strains and designated rAIC246-1 and rAIC246-2 are highly resistant to Letermovir (AIC246), with EC50s of 5.6 nM, 1.24 μM, 0.37 μM, respectively. Letermovir inhibits HCMV replication through a specific antiviral mechanism that involves the viral gene product UL56. Letermovir inhibits HCMV replication in cell culture by interfering with the proper cleavage/packaging of HCMV progeny DNA[2]. Letermovir inhibits the current gold standard GCV by more than 400-fold with respect to EC50s (mean, 4.5 nM versus 2 μM) and by more than 2,000-fold with respect to EC90 values (mean, 6.1 nM versus 14.5 μM)[3]. Letermovir in conbination with anti-HCMV drugs causes additive antiviral effects, but there is no interaction between letermovir and anti-HIV drugs[4].
In Vivo
Letermovir (10-100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) leads to a dose-dependent reduction of the HCMV titer in transplanted cells compared to that of the placebo-treated control group using the mouse xenograft model[3].
References & source
Published experimental findings depend on the model and assay conditions. They do not guarantee equivalent performance in every application. For laboratory research use only.