Advances in Nucleoside and Nucleotide Analogues in Tackling Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis Virus Infections.

Ramesh, Deepthi; Vijayakumar, Balaji Gowrivel; Kannan, Tharanikkarasu

Nucleoside and nucleotide analogues are structurally similar antimetabolites and are promising small-molecule chemotherapeutic agents against various infectious DNA and RNA viruses. To date, an in-depth review for these analogues as anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and anti-hepatitis virus agents, which are at various stages of testing ranging from pre-clinical, to those withdrawn from trials, or those that are approved as drugs have not been documented. Hence, in this review, the importance of these analogues in tackling the HIV and hepatitis virus infections are discussed with a focus towards the viral genome, mechanism of action of these analogues, both in a mutually exclusive manner as well as their role in HIV/hepatitis coinfection. This review encompasses nucleoside and nucleotide analogues from 1987 onwards, starting with the first nucleoside analogue Zidovudine, to those in current clinical trials and even the drugs which have been withdrawn. This review also sheds light on the prospects of these nucleoside analogues in clinical trials as a treatment option for COVID-19 pandemic.