Acyclovir-Resistant Herpes: Trial of Topical HPMPC

HPMPC, a experimental drug being developed for CMV, is also
very active against herpes simplex, including herpes simplex
which has become resistant to acyclovir. Systemic use is
limited by kidney toxicity, but this is not a problem when
the drug is used topically, applied directly to herpes
lesions on the skin. A new trial, at several sites in the
U.S. and Canada, is testing this potential use. There have
been dramatic results in the handful of patients treated so
far -- for example, one lesion shrank from 50 square cm to 2
square cm in a few days, and remained culture negative 30
days after treatment.

The trial is placebo controlled and runs for five days.
Volunteers are randomly assigned to receive either 1.0
percent HPMPC, 0.3 percent, or placebo. After two weeks, all
patients will be eligible to receive the drug. To be
eligible, patients must be HIV positive, have acyclovir-
resistant herpes, and not currently be using ganciclovir,
foscarnet, or other treatments for herpes.

The trial will be at sites in Baltimore, Chicago, Houston,
Los Angeles (2 sites), New York City, San Francisco (2
sites), Seattle, and Vancouver.

HPMPC, also called GS-0504, is being developed by Gilead
Sciences, of Foster City, California.

For more information, including how to contact a site near
you, call Jay Lalezari, M.D., at Mt. Zion Medical Center,
415/476-6356.