Use of Cox-2 inhibitors to prevent recurrences of herpesvirus infections

Abstract

Selective inhibitors for COX-2 were discovered to prevent the reactivation of viruses that cause latent infections such as herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Using mice with a latent infection of HSV, which is subject to reactivation when heat-stressed, a selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) was shown to significantly suppress viral reactivation in the eye when the inhibitor was administered either by intraperitoneal injection or orally. Acetylsalicylic acid, a nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitor, was also found to suppress viral reactivation in this heat-stress mouse model. The COX-2 specific inhibitor, celecoxib, was more effective in preventing viral recurrence than was the nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitor aspirin. The use of selective inhibitors of COX-2 to inhibit the recurrence of latent viral infections will be more effective and have fewer side effects than the nonspecific inhibitors. In addition, selective inhibitors of COX-2 can be combined with other known antiviral compounds.

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