L-NUCLEOSIDES FOR THE TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS B-VIRUS AND EPSTEIN-BAR VIRUS

摘要

A method for the treatment of a host, and in particular, a human, infected with HBV or EBV is provided that includes administering an HBV- or EBV- treatment amount of an L-nucleoside of formula (I) wherein R is a purine or pyrimidine base. In one preferred embodiment, the active compound is 2'-fluoro-5-methyl- beta -L-arabinofuranosyluridine (also referred to as L-FMAU) This compound is a potent antiviral agent against HBV and EBV and exhibits low cytotoxicity. Other specific examples of active compounds include N1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro- beta -L-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethyluracil, N1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro- beta -L-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine), and N1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro- beta -L-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil.