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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
Published on: April 9, 2014
Targeted cytotoxic therapy: adapting a rapidly progressing anticancer paradigm for depletion of persistent
1Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. edward_berger@nih.gov
Purpose Of Review:
HIV-infected cells persisting in the face of highly active antiretroviral therapy are arguably the greatest hurdle to eradication of the virus from the body. Complementary strategies aimed at selective killing of infected cells are described.
Recent Findings:
Pioneered by research in the cancer field, various approaches are under development for selective killing of HIV-infected cells. These include targeted cytotoxic proteins, adoptive cell therapy, cytocidal virotherapy, and targeted nonbiological drug carriers.
Summary:
These developmental efforts may provide a critical complement to antiretroviral therapy in efforts to achieve HIV eradication, or a 'functional cure' whereby therapy can be stopped without viral rebound.
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