In collaborative studies with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, we have obtained preliminary data on the antiviral properties of derivatives of the natural product gossypol. In particular, one derivative named GIL has shown promising activity in the treatment of domestic cats infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Also noteworthy is the fact that GIL shows promising in vitro activity against the AIDS virus, HIV-1, suggesting that GIL and other derivatives of gossypol may have broad spectrum antiviral activities. The specific aim of this Phase I is to conduct a controlled clinical study of the effectiveness of GIL against feline leukemia virus in infected cats. This phase of the research is designed: (1) to confirm the preliminary results with GIL, using a larger population of animals under controlled conditions, and (2) to obtain clinical data pertaining to the toxicity of GIL.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The research is designed to develop gossylic immunolactone as a commercial antiviral drug for treatment of feline leukemia virus infections.
Thesaurus Terms: antiviral agent, drug design /synthesis /production, drug screening /evaluation, feline leukemia /sarcoma virus, gossypol, veterinary medicine chemotherapy, drug adverse effect, epizootiology, pharmacology blood test, bone marrow exam, cat, clinical chemistry, disease model, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
