This invention provides a novel means of treating or inhibiting HIV and other viral infections by administering a retinamide compound to a patient suffering from or susceptible to such a viral infection.

This invention provides methods of inhibiting or preventing HIV- 1 infections by inducing either the de novo biosynthesis of ceramide, or by activating enzymes (e.g., sphingomyelinase) involved in the generation of ceramide at the plasma membrane, or by direct incorporation of exogenous ceramide into target cell membranes. The invention describes methods for administration a retinamide compound particularly an N- (aryl) retinamide compound such as N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) resulting in increased plasma membrane ceramide levels, which results in the inhibition of HIV-1 infection in monocyte/macrophages by perturbing membrane organization. In addition, because of its low toxicity in non- tumor cells, 4-HPR and related compounds are particularly suitable for long-term preventative or therapeutic administration to subjects suffering from an HIV infection or who are at risk of contracting an HIV infection. Thus, this invention provides a novel means of treating or inhibiting HIV and other viral infections by administering a retinamide compound to a patient suffering from or susceptible to such a viral infection. Publications: 1. CM Finnegan et al., "Ceramide, a target for antiretroviral therapy," Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. (2004 Oct 26) 101 (43):15452-15457. 2. CM Finnegan and R Blumenthal, "Fenretinide inhibits HIV infection by promoting viral endocytosis," Antiviral Res. (2006 Feb) 69(2):116-123.

U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/528,411 filed 09 Dec 2003 (HHS Reference No. E-265-2003/0-US-01); PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/41512 filed 09 Dec 2004, which published as WO 2005/072091 on 11 Aug 2005 (HHS Reference No. E- 265-2003/0-PCT-02) Inventors: Robert P. Blumenthal et al. (NCI)

Licensees sought: Available for non-exclusive or exclusive licensing. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize the clinical potential of sphingolipid-based antiviral therapies. Please contact Melissa Maderia at maderiam@mail.nih.gov or by phone at 301/846-5465 for more information.