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Updated: Nov 18, 2025
07:18
High Throughput In Vitro Assessment of Latency Reversing Agents on HIV Transcription and Splicing
Published on: January 22, 2019
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HIV latency reversal agents: A potential path for functional cure?
Juliana Romano Lopes1, Diego Eidy Chiba2, Jean Leandro Dos Santos2
1São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil.
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
|February 4, 2021
Summary
Finding a cure for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a challenge. The
Area of Science:
- Virology and Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Despite advances in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment, a complete cure remains elusive.
- A latent HIV reservoir in CD4+ T cells poses a significant barrier to eradication.
- The 'kick-and-kill' strategy aims to eliminate this latent reservoir.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review promising latency reversal agents (LRAs) for HIV cure strategies.
- To highlight the advantages and disadvantages of current LRAs in the 'kick-and-kill' approach.
- To identify needs for potent, safe, and non-toxic LRAs for clinical application.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications on LRAs.
- Analysis of reported LRAs for their efficacy in reactivating latent HIV.
- Evaluation of LRA safety and toxicity profiles for potential clinical use.
Main Results:
- Several classes of LRAs have been identified with varying potential.
- Limitations in current LRAs necessitate further development for clinical application.
- Potent, safe, and non-toxic LRAs are crucial for effective reservoir elimination.
Conclusions:
- LRAs are essential for the reactivation step in the 'kick-and-kill' HIV cure strategy.
- Continued research into novel LRAs is vital to overcome existing limitations.
- Development of improved LRAs offers a promising new avenue towards an HIV cure.
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