Enhanced in vitro inhibition of HIV-1 replication by 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine compared to several other nucleoside analogs.

Nucleoside analogs were synthesized and tested for anti-HIV-1 activity in two in vitro test systems using MT-4 cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity was assessed in both assays and additionally in several human lymphoblastoid cell lines. One analog, 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine, exhibited higher antiviral potency and slightly higher cytotoxicity than 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine. Analogs showing lower cytotoxicity than 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine demonstrated reduced antiviral activity. 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine may become an alternative chemotherapeutic agent because of its high antiretroviral potency. Its toxicity, however, deserves further investigation.