An anti-HIV agent containing, as an active ingredient, a 4-oxoquinoline
compound represented by the following formula [I] ##STR00001## wherein
each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt thereof. The compound of the present invention has HIV
integrase inhibitory action and is useful as an anti-HIV agent for the
prophylaxis or therapy of AIDS. Moreover, by a combined use with other
anti-HIV agents such as protease inhibitors, reverse transcriptase
inhibitors and the like, the compound can become a more effective
anti-HIV agent. Since the compound has high inhibitory activity specific
for integrases, it can provide a safe pharmaceutical agent with a fewer
side effects for human.