β-d-2′-α-F-2′-β-C-Methyl-6-O-substituted 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate nucleotide prodrugs as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus replication: A structure-activity relationship study

The 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate prodrug 9-[β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-α-fluoro-2′-β-C-methylribofuranosyl]-2-amino-6-ethoxypurine, PSI-352938 1, has demonstrated promising anti-HCV efficacy in vitro and in human clinical trials. A structure-activity relationship study of the nucleoside 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate series of β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-α-fluoro-2′-β-C-methylribofuranosyl nucleoside prodrugs was undertaken and the anti-HCV activity and in vitro safety profile were assessed. Cycloalkyl 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate prodrugs were shown to be significantly more potent as inhibitors of HCV replication than branched and straight chain alkyl 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate prodrugs. No cytotoxicity and mitochondrial toxicity for prodrugs 12, 13 and 19 were observed at concentrations up to 100 μm in vitro. Cycloalkyl esters of 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate nucleotide prodrugs demonstrated the ability to produce high levels of active triphosphate in clone-A cells and primary human hepatocytes. Compounds 12, 13 and 19 also demonstrated the ability to effectively deliver in vivo high levels of active nucleoside phosphates to rat liver.