Abstract

AIDS: Martin Markowitz, M.D., a staff investigator at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York, has worked with Dr. David Ho on research using new, potent antiretroviral drugs to eradicate HIV from the body. In this interview, Dr. Markowitz, a clinician as well as a researcher, describes some early studies that were done to reduce viral load and the resulting problems of resistance and cross-mutation. He describes the designs of past and current studies and shares his experiences with patients who do not adhere rigidly to their drug regimen. Markowitz remains optimistic that early, effective treatment and new drugs may ultimately lead to a means to destroy latent HIV cells and completely eradicate the virus from the body.