Effects of RP 55778, a tumor necrosis factor alpha synthesis inhibitor, on antiviral activity of dideoxynucleosides.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is overexpressed during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. RP 55778, a TNF-alpha synthesis inhibitor, decreases HIV replication in monocytes/macrophages. Therapeutic use of RP 55778 in vivo, like that of other biological response modifiers, would theoretically require association with dideoxynucleosides. We have evaluated here the combinatory effects of zidovudine (AZT) or dideoxyinosine (ddI) and RP 55778. This TNF-alpha inhibitor antagonizes the antiviral effects of both dideoxynucleosides, especially AZT. The more favorable anti-HIV activity of ddI in resting cells may explain these unequal degrees of antagonism.