[The present and future of AIDS chemotherapy]

As soon as the replication cycle of the virus of human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) was recognized, a number of antiretroviral drugs were developed which inhibit more or less successfully HIV-1 at different sites of its replication cycle. The first drug tested on patients was the nucleoside analogue inhibiting reverse transcriptase--azidothymidine (AZT). It still remains the basic drug of choice. Less well known are other drugs inhibiting HIV-1 at sites of adsorption on the target cell or in different stages of construction of new viral progenies. Combined therapy makes inhibition of HIV-1 at various sites of the replication cycle possible, a certain part is played also by the synergistic action of various drugs. This makes a reduction of dosage possible and thus also a reduction of their toxic action. The objective of research is a drug which will eradicate the virus completely and lead to permanent remission of the infection.