Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus-associated reverse transcriptase by 14-O-acyladriamycins

It was reported that doxorubicin inhibited virus reverse transcriptase. We have synthesized various new 14-O-acyladriamycins. The derivatives having a 17-O-benzoyl group with hydrophobic aliphatic side chains showed stronger inhibitory activity on human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase and lower cytotoxicity on mouse leukemia cells.