Daily or weekly therapy with resiquimod (R-848) reduces genital recurrences in herpes simplex virus-infected guinea pigs during and after treatment.

Abstract

The effect of resiquimod (R-848), an immune-response modifier that is similar to imiquimod, on recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) was evaluated using the guinea pig model of genital herpes. Guinea pigs were intravaginally infected with HSV-2 and then were randomized on day 14 to receive nothing or 0.1 mL/kg per dose of subcutaneous resiquimod, given either daily, every other day, or weekly from days 15-35. During a 3-week course of therapy, recurrences in all 3 treated groups were reduced by >80%, compared with the control group. After therapy, recurrences remained significantly (P<.05) decreased in all 3 groups for the next 3 weeks. The group treated weekly developed the fewest recurrences. Significant increases in interleukin-2 levels, produced by incubation of mononuclear cells with HSV-2 antigens, but not in circulating antibody also were detected in the treated groups. Resiquimod treatment may offer significant advantages to present antiviral therapies for the control of recurrent genital herpes.

• Authors: D I Bernstein, C J Harrison, M A Tomai, R L Miller
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 183 Issue 6 Pg. 844-9 (Mar 15 2001) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11237799 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Antigens, Viral
• Imidazoles
• Immunologic Factors
• Interleukin-2
• Interferons
• resiquimod

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Viral (biosynthesis)
• Antigens, Viral (immunology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Female
• Guinea Pigs
• Herpes Genitalis (immunology, prevention & control, virology)
• Herpesvirus 2, Human (immunology)
• Imidazoles (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Immunologic Factors (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Interferons (biosynthesis)
• Interleukin-2 (biosynthesis)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (immunology)
• Random Allocation
• Secondary Prevention
• Time Factors