Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by combination of a novel inhibitor of TNF-alpha with AZT

A combination of the drug AZT (zidovudine) and an experimentally altered cytokine inhibitor called S9a strongly inhibit replication of HIV in cell cultures. Researchers obtained the S9a molecule from Canventol, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). S9a was as effective as AZT at viral inhibition when used alone. Combined, the two agents acted against both the virus and the host cells to prevent successful duplication of the virus. Application of such drug combinations may help prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of HIV in infected patients.