Combinations of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine) and phosphonoformate (foscarnet) against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and cytomegalovirus replication in vitro.

Combinations of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and phosphonoformate produced a moderate synergistic inhibitory effect against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in vitro at concentrations that are easily achieved in humans. The synergistic effect was more pronounced with increasing concentrations and was not secondary to toxic effects of the drugs. 3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine neither inhibited the replication of human cytomegalovirus in human embryonic lung fibroblasts nor interfered with the anticytomegalovirus effect of phosphonoformate. By using partially purified reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase, various combinations of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine-5'-triphosphate and phosphonoformate produced strong indications of additive interactions. The synergistic interactions in infected cells and the additive effects observed at the reverse transcriptase level indicate that mechanisms other than the reverse transcriptase may be of importance for the inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus replication by these two compounds. A concomitant treatment of cytomegalovirus infections, such as cytomegalovirus retinitis, with phosphonoformate in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome receiving 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine may be appropriate, and this combination may also be useful in controlling human immunodeficiency virus infection.