EFdA-TP, a highly potent nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor, exerts its inhibitory effect on RT-catalyzed DNA synthesis through both immediate and delayed chain termination mechanisms, commonly referred to as ICT and DCT, respectively. Additionally, EFdA-TP demonstrates its efficacy in inhibiting HIV-1 RT through multiple pathways.

EFdA-TP (0.05-10 μM; for 15 min) inhibits RT-catalyzed DNA synthesis as an ICT or DCT[1]. EFdA-TP can block RT as a translocation-defective RT inhibitor that dramatically slows DNA synthesis, acting as a de facto immediate chain terminator. EFdA-TP can function as a delayed chain terminator, allowing incorporation of an additional dNTP before blocking DNA synthesis[1].