Possible Drug Treatment for BK Virus Nephropathy (Part 2)

The final and most widely used agent used as a therapy against the BK virus is Leflunomide. Leflunomide is an immunosuppressive agent which is known to block dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, tyrosine kinase, and pyrimidine synthesis. It is licensed for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and has been used in combination with immunosuppression reduction in the treatment of BK virus-associated diseases. It has modest in vitro activity, however, much like some of the other drugs discussed previously in vivo data is both scarce and sometimes conflicting. What is known is that it can serve the dual purpose of both an antiviral as well as an immunosuppressant in high enough doses (higher than those generally given for rheumatoid arthritis). The other main benefit of Leflunomide which makes it one of the most promising candidates as a therapy to fight the BK virus is its oral bioavailability and its relatively low nephrotoxicity. The factor which limits its dosage is damage to the liver (the same also being true for Dayquil and cough syrup).