Studies on theToxicity andAntiviral Activity of

Various polynucleotides wereexamined forantiviral activity andtoxicity in mice. Although theantiviral potency ofthevarious interferon inducers varied, there was a concomitant variation intoxicity. Thiswas reflected bya fivefold rangeintherapeutic ratio forthevarious compounds. Inaddition, nopolynucleotide proved tobea morepotent interferon inducer thanpolyinosinic- polycytidylic acid[(poly rI)- (poly rO)].Ourresults suggest thatthere may beintrinsic limitations tothedevelopment ofpolynucleotide interferon inducers having improved therapeutic ratios.