Synthesis and Evaluation of 2,6-Modified Purine 2'-C-Methyl Ribonucleosides as Inhibitors of HCV Replication.

A variety of 2,6-modified purine 2'-C-methylribonucleosides and their phosphoramidate prodrugs were synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of HCV RNA replication in Huh-7 cells and for cytotoxicity in various cell lines. Cellular pharmacology and HCV polymerase incorporation studies on the most potent and selective compound are reported.