The Chemotherapy of Herpes Iritis With Adenine Arabinoside and Cytarabine

Abstract

Adenine arabinoside is an antiviral agent which is not incorporated into DNA, and which is not broken down into inactive compounds when administered systemically. It has an extremely low systemic toxicity in animals and is clearly effective against systemic herpes infection. In rabbits and monkeys the subconjunctival administration of this compound effectively reduces herpes simplex iritis. Cytarabine administered subconjunctivally also has some effect on herpes simplex iritis, and the two drugs may provide a desirable combination for future clinical testing.