title: Studies on the toxicity and antiviral activity of various polynucleotides.
abstract: Various polynucleotides were examined for antiviral activity and toxicity in mice. Although the antiviral potency of the various interferon inducers varied, there was a concomitant variation in toxicity. This was reflected by a fivefold range in therapeutic ratio for the various compounds. In addition, no polynucleotide proved to be a more potent interferon inducer than polyinosinic.polycytidylic acid [(poly rI).(poly rC)]. Our results suggest that there may be intrinsic limitations to the development of polynucleotide interferon inducers having improved therapeutic ratios.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005260:Female; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology; D011119:Polynucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D011119:Polynucleotides; D011070:Poly I-C