Azidothymidine inhibits mitogen stimulated growth and DNA-repair in human peripheral lymphocytes

Until now, 3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) is the most widely used drug in AIDS therapy, but the positive anti HIV effect of the drug is often accompanied by severe side effects such as bone-marrow suppression. In the present study, the effect of AZT on UV induced DNA strand-break rejoining and on phytohemagglutinin stimulated growth of lymphocytes from 7 healthy volunteers has been examined, and inhibitory effects of the drug was observed at therapeutic concentrations, i.e. 1-10 uM AZT.