MK-608 (7-deaza-2’-C-methyladenosine, 7DMA) is an antiviral drug, an adenosine analog (a type of nucleoside analog). It was originally developed by Merck & Co. as a treatment for hepatitis C, but despite promising results in animal studies,[1][2] it was ultimately unsuccessful in clinical trials.[3] Subsequently it has been widely used in antiviral research and has shown activity against a range of viruses, including Dengue fever,[4]tick-borne encephalitis virus,[5]poliovirus,[6][7] and most recently Zika virus,[8][9] in both in vitro and animal models. Since it has already failed in human clinical trials previously, it is unlikely MK-608 itself will be developed as an antiviral medication, but the continuing lack of treatment options for these emerging viral diseases means that much research continues using MK-608 and related antiviral drugs.[10]
^Goris N, De Palma A, Toussaint JF, Musch I, Neyts J, De Clercq K (March 2007). "2'-C-methylcytidine as a potent and selective inhibitor of the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus". Antiviral Research. 73 (3): 161–8. doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2006.09.007. PMID17055073.
