Drug Discovery of Nucleos(t)ide Antiviral Agents: Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Erik De Clercq on Occasion of His 80th Birthday

Nucleoside and nucleotide analogues are essential antivirals in the treatment of infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). To celebrate the 80th birthday of Prof. Dr. Erik De Clercq on 28 March 2021, this review provides an overview of his contributions to eight approved nucleos(t)ide drugs: (i) three adenosine nucleotide analogues, namely tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread(®)) and tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy(®)) against HIV and HBV infections and adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera(®)) against HBV infections; (ii) two thymidine nucleoside analogues, namely brivudine (Zostex(®)) against HSV-1 and VZV infections and stavudine (Zerit(®)) against HIV infections; (iii) two guanosine analogues, namely valacyclovir (Valtrex(®), Zelitrex(®)) against HSV and VZV and rabacfosadine (Tanovea(®)-CA1) for the treatment of lymphoma in dogs; and (iv) one cytidine nucleotide analogue, namely cidofovir (Vistide(®)) for the treatment of HCMV retinitis in AIDS patients. Although adefovir dipivoxil, stavudine, and cidofovir are virtually discontinued for clinical use, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and tenofovir alafenamide remain the most important antivirals against HIV and HBV infections worldwide. Overall, the broad-spectrum antiviral potential of nucleos(t)ide analogues supports their development to treat or prevent current and emerging infectious diseases worldwide.