| abstract |
Oligonucleotides that include a 2'-fluoro β-L-arabinofuranosyl nucleoside at the 3'-terminus, the 5'-terminus or in the interior of the oligomer. A preferred nucleoside is 2'-fluoro-5-methyl-β-L-arabinofuranosyluridine (also referred to as L-FMAU). This compound is a potent antiviral agent against HBV and EBV and exhibits low cytotoxicity. Other specific examples of active compounds include N 1 -(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-β-L-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethyluracil, N 1 -(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-β-L-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine), and N 1 -(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-β-L-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil. |