Why have ten or so nontoxic, retrovirus integrase inhibitors not been madeavailable for AIDS treatment? A ten-year experiment must liberate them

We detected in 1989, with the inhibitor test of proviral insertion into c-e rb B erythroblastosis, two retrovirus integrase inhibitors: hydroxy-methyl- ellipticine and acriflavine. They have been used for ten years in AIDS pati ents with high efficacy and no toxicity. Since vitamin B12 and cobalt, whic h it contains, have been detected as HIV1-integrase inhibitors by an in-vit ro test, we have also used vitamin B12 (combined with folic acid), whose cl inical action has been remarkable. Ten or so other compounds have been dete cted by such in-vitro tests, among which there are many compounds (such as flavones) which are used in many conditions and are not toxic. (C) 1999 Edi tions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.