Nucleoside Analogues as Highly Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase

Abstract A series of carboxamide derivatives of 5′-amino-2′,5′-dideoxy-5-ethyluridine has been prepared as inhibitors of HSV-TK (herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase). The most potent compounds were derived from xanthene, thioxanthene and dihydroanthracene carboxylic acids. The lead compounds show subnanomolar IC 50 values against HSV TKs.