Introduction: challenges to finding a cure for HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
Renewed interest has emerged to address the latent reservoir of HIV to achieve a cure.


RESULTS
The integrated proviral genome is a fundamental component of the retroviral replication cycle. The establishment of latently infected CD4+ lymphocytes, and perhaps other as yet poorly characterized cells, represents a reservoir of HIV infection that is not appreciably affected by effective antiretroviral chemotherapy. Effective management of HIV infection, thus, will require lifelong treatment unless an approach to purging this reservoir is identified. Although substantial insights about the latent reservoir have been made, our understanding about the details of the reservoirs, the mechanisms of latency and potential targets to eliminate latently infected cells is too primitive to achieve a cure without a great deal of basic research to elucidate some of these areas.


CONCLUSIONS
A resurgence of interest in latent infection and its treatment promises progress in addressing the challenge of a cure, although, realistically, this will require a prolonged period of investigation in many areas.
VA San Diego Healthcare System, Department of Pathology, Center for AIDS Research, University of California, San Diego, California, USA. drichman@ucsd.edu
Douglas D
DD
Richman
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006678:HIV / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D017735:Virus Latency
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
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