Abstract

AIDS: Glaxo Wellcome is developing a nucleoside analog which may have a stronger anti-HIV effect than other approved nucleoside analogs. In phase I/II human trials, 1592U89 (also called 1592) has already been administered to 80 volunteers with CD4 counts of 200-500 who had less than 12 weeks of prior AZT use. After 8 weeks, the patients had an average viral load reduction of about 95 to 99 percent and average CD4 count increases of 79 to 127. The manufacturers say the drug has a short half life, though it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Compassionate-use access may be available in the future for patients who have failed other treatment options.