Highly Active Macromolecular Prodrugs Inhibit Expression of the Hepatitis C Virus Genome in the Host Cells

Abstract

Efficacious, potent, and at the same time nontoxic macromolecular prodrugs of ribavirin are designed taking advantage over prodrug activation by the intracellular milieu. Activity of these prodrugs is illustrated in the cells hosting hepatitis C virus replication and also in the cells implicated in the inflammatory response to the viral infection.