Advancing Toward a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cure: Initial Progress on a Difficult Path

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2024 Sep;38(3):487-497. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2024.06.001. Epub 2024 Jul 4.

Abstract

Therapies to eradicate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, sparing lifelong antiviral therapy, are a still-distant goal. But significant advances have been made to reverse HIV latency while antiretroviral therapy (ART) is maintained to allow targeting of the persistent viral reservoir, to test interventions that could clear cells emerging from latent infection, and to improve HIV cure research assays and infrastructure. Steady progress gives hope that future therapies to clear HIV infection may relieve individuals and society of the burden of HIV.

Keywords: Clinical trials; Eradication; HIV infection; Latency; Persistence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections* / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Virus Latency* / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents