Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
Published on: April 9, 2014
AZT 5'-Phosphonates: Achievements and Trends in the Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection
Capital A Cyrillic L Khandazhinskaya1, E A Shirokova
1Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str., 32, Moscow, Russia, 119991.
Abstract:
Despite the numerous drawbacks, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT, Zidovudine, Retrovir) remains one of the key drugs used in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection in both monotherapy and HAART. A strategy in searching for new effective and safe AZT agents among latent (depot) forms of AZT has yielded its first positive results. In particular, the sodium salt of AZT 5'-H-phosphonate (Nikavir, phosphazide) has demonstrated clinical advantages over parent AZT: first and foremost, lower toxicity and better tolerability. It can be effectively used for the prevention of vertical transmission from mothers to babies and as an alternative drug for HIV-infected patients with low tolerance to Zidovudine. Preclinical studies of another phosphonate, AZT 5'-aminocarbonylphosphonate, have demonstrated that it releases AZT when taken orally. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown a prolonged action potential. Based on the analysis of both toxicological and pharmacological data, AZT 5'-aminocarbonylphosphonate has been recommended for clinical trials.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

