Apricitabine May Be Effective Against XMRV

Apricitabine, an NRTI structurally related to lamivudine, may provide activity against XMRV Reverse transcriptase.  XMRV, like the drug resistant strain of HIV-1 contains the M184V substitution, explaining why it is succeptible to AZT and not 3TC (lamivudine).  The FDA has granted fast-track approval to the drug, meaning it should be available some time next year.  It appears to be extremely well tolerated, and was not associated with abnormal blood lipids, liver or kidney toxicity, or bone marrow suppression.