Claims for Patent: 5,916,893

Summary for Patent: 5,916,893

Title:	Treatment of a latent infection of herpes virus
Abstract:	A method for the treatment of latent infection of herpesviruses in mammals, including humans, which method comprises administering to the mammal in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a compound of formula (A): ##STR1## or a bioprecursor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, phosphate ester and/or acyl derivative of either of the foregoing.
Inventor(s):	Field; Hugh John (Cambridge, GB), Thackray; Alana Maureen (Cambridge, GB), Bacon; Teresa Helen (Epsom, GB), Sutton; David (Phoenixville, PA), Vere Hodge; Richard Anthony (Reigate, GB)
Assignee:	SmithKline Beecham p.l.c. (Brentford, GB)
Application Number:	08/845,720
Patent Claims:	1. A method for the treatment of a latent infection of herpes viruses in a human in need thereof which method comprises administering to said human an effective amount of a compound of formula (A): ##STR5## or a bioprecurser, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, phosphate ester and/or acyl derivative or either of the foregoing at greater than 18 hours post-infection. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment is for latent infection of herpes simplex type 1 infection. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment is for latent infection of herpes simplex type 2 infection. 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the Compound is famciclovir. 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein famciclovir is administered at a dose of 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg, or 1 g, once, twice or three times a day. 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the time of administration is four (4) days or greater post-infection. 7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the length of time for reduction of or reactivation of the latent herpes viruses is from 3 to 14 days. 8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of Formula (A) is penciclovir, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 9. A method for the reduction, or prevention of a herpes virus becoming latent and subsequently reactivating in a human in need thereof, which method comprises administering to said human an effective amount of famciclovir or penciclovir, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, at greater than 18 hours post-infection. 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the latent herpes viral infection is HSV-1. 11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the latent herpes viral infection is HSV-2. 12. The method according to claim 9 wherein famciclovir is administered at a dose of 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg, or 1 gram. 13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the dose is administered once, twice or three times a day. 14. The method according to claim 9 wherein the time of administration is four (4) days or greater post-infection. 15. The method according to claim 9 wherein the length of time for reduction of or reactivation of the latent herpes viruses is from 3 to 14 days.