Tenofovir: The first nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor for treatment of patients with HIV-1 infection

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread) recently gained accelerated FDA approval. It is the first member of a new antiretroviral class and also the first antiretroviral approved on the basis of efficacy trials conducted almost exclusively in treatment-experienced patients. This Focus article reviews these studies and considers how other pending and planned trials may refine tenofovir's role.