Daily or weekly therapy with resiquimod (R-848) reduces genital recurrences in herpes simplex virus-infected guinea pigs during and after treatment.
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.
Bernstein
D I
DI
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, CH-1, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. dib@chmcc.org
Harrison
C J
CJ
Tomai
M A
MA
Miller
R L
RL
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D011897:Random Allocation; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013997:Time Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007093:Imidazoles; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007372:Interferons; C402365:resiquimod