Jc. Craig et al., IN-VITRO ANTI-HIV AND CYTOTOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE TRIPLE COMBINATION - AZT AND DDC WITH HIV PROTEINASE-INHIBITOR SAQUINAVIR (RO-31-8959), Antiviral chemistry & chemotherapy, 5(6), 1994, pp. 380-386
A combination of three anti-HIV compounds (AZT, ddC and saquinavir) ha
s been studied in vitro. In confirmation and extension of previous stu
dies, a greater than additive effect was found against both HIV-1(GB8)
and HIV-1(N1T), when any two compounds were combined. Synergy of acti
on was also found against both virus strains when all three compounds
were employed together. Cytotoxicological studies indicated that a hig
h therapeutic index could be maintained for this treatment. The potent
ial benefits of improved anti-HIV surveillance, reduced risk of the de
velopment of resistance to the treatment and reduced requirement for d
rugs in quantities that produce toxic side-effects support the extensi
on of clinical trials of saquinavir to investigate this combination.