Letermovir for the prevention of cytomegalovirus infection in adult cytomegalovirus-seropositive hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
Farnaz FooladRoy F Chemaly

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants (allo-HCT) recipients are at the high-risk of reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV), and reactivation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although available anti-CMV therapies may be effective for the prevention of CMV, they are plagued by unacceptable toxicities that prohibit their use in the post-transplant period. Recently studied CMV-active agents, such as maribavir and brincidofovir, failed to reduce the incidence of CMV infection in HCT recipients. Letermovir represents the first agent in the non-nucleoside 3,4 dihydro-quinazoline class of CMV viral terminase complex inhibitors, with activity solely against CMV. The positive results from the recently published Phase III study of letermovir for prevention of CMV infection in CMV-seropositive allo-HCT recipients led to its approval as a prophylactic agent for CMV in multiple countries. Areas covered: In this review, we will evaluate this novel agent with a focus on letermovir mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, clinical efficacy, and safety and toxicities. Expert commentary: With the introduction of letermovir, prevention of CMV infection in allo-HCT recipients may shift considerably, from a pre...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 14, 2018·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Michael M McVoyLawrence M Kauvar
Jul 10, 2019·Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy·Giuseppe GernaFausto Baldanti
Oct 10, 2020·Transplant Infectious Disease : an Official Journal of the Transplantation Society·Rajat BansalRan Reshef

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