HIV Cure Strategies

Although current antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly effective at controlling HIV-1 replication, it does not eradicate or cure the infection. HIV-1 persists quiescently in cellular reservoirs, not detected by the immune system due to the lack of active viral replication; these reservoirs represent the major obstacle for cure approaches. Reversal of HIV-1 latency and induction of virus expression by a variety of interventions may render infected cells susceptible to immune recognition and active clearance. Strategies to boost immune responses via vaccination, immunomodulation, or gene therapy are being evaluated with the aim of achieving HIV-1 control without antiretroviral therapy, if not viral eradication.