Abstract
A variety of substituted 5′-N-phthaloyl-3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine derivatives has been evaluated for their activity against HIV-1, HIV-2 and Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV) in cell culture. Most of the 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (AZT, zidovudine) derivatives showed antiviral activity in the lower micromolar concentration range and there was a close correlation between their anti-HIV and anti-MSV activity (r=0.99). The adamantyl phthaloyl derivative was active at sub-micromolar concentrations. None of the compounds showed marked cytostatic activity. They did not inhibit recombinant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. All compounds were inactive against HIV in thymidine kinase-deficient cells, pointing to the compounds' requirement to release free AZT to afford antiviral efficacy.
