CAS: 144490-02-8

3'-Deoxy-L-thymidine is a nucleoside analog that inhibits HIV replication by interfering with the synthesis of viral DNA. The drug binds to the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase, which converts thymidine into deoxyuridine monophosphate, and prevents conversion of deoxyuridine to deoxythymidine monophosphate. This leads to inhibition of both DNA synthesis and the production of RNA. 3'-Deoxy-L-thymidine has dose-limiting toxicity at high doses and is not active against other viruses such as herpes simplex virus or cytomegalovirus. It is metabolized in the liver by enzymes such as 5-fluorocytosine, which converts it into its active form, 5-fluorouracil.