Treatment research priorities for human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract

Viral infections such as with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) present difficult challenges for the development of effective antiviral therapies. These viruses depend on the host cell machinery for their existence, and interference with these processes typically interferes with other important host physiology. HIV presents other challenges as well because of its inherent pathogenic destruction of the immune system. It is the goal of HIV therapeutics to attempt to cure HIV infection, or if that is not possible, to stop HIV disease progression while preserving a high quality of life for HIV-infected individuals. This may be achieved through an effective combination of interference with the viral life cycle and the pathogenic processes, and by slowing or reversing the immunologic dysfunction that leads to the complications of HIV infection. Unprecedented progress has been made in understanding the virus and HIV disease pathogenesis. This knowledge has led to the identification of viral features that have become targets for therapeutic intervention. This article reviews the most important priorities of HIV treatment research for adult HIV-infected patients for the immediate future. These priorities include the following: development of new antiretroviral compounds and their application as both monotherapies and in combination therapy approaches; immune-based therapeutic approaches; and research and treatment for acute or primary HIV infections.