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TARGETED THERAPY FOR VIRAL HEPATITIS

New compounds for the therapy of chronic viral hepatitis, such as nucleoside analogs, antisense oligonucleotides or ribozymes, have been developed in the past several years. Although many are effective inhibitors of viral replication in vitro, efficacy in vivo and further clinical applications is often hampered by broad biodistribution and extraheptic toxicity after systemic administration. Because the liver is the primary site of infection and damage in viral hepatitis, specific targeting of antiviral drugs to hepatocytes may be useful. For this purpose, particle-type carriers such as liposomes and endogenous lipid particles, as well as soluble drug carriers, especially ligands of the highly liver- selective asialoglycoprotein receptor, are currently under investigation. The use of these compounds could result in the efficient delivery of various new agents to the liver, and in the clinical application of new antiviral drugs in the future.

Author: SCHUSTER MJ, UNIV CONNECTICUT, SCH MED, DEPT MED, DIV GASTROENTEROL HEPATOL FARMINGTON, CT 06030
Source: DRUGS OF TODAY 1996 DEC;32(8):653-661


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