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Anti-HIV Aptamers: Challenges and Prospects
William Serumula1, Geronimo Fernandez2, Victor M Gonzalez3
1Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of KwaZulu-Natal, c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 5th Floor Laboratory Building, 800 Bellair Road, Mayville, Durban 4091, South Africa.
Current HIV Research
|September 10, 2021
Summary
Nucleic acid aptamers offer a novel therapeutic strategy against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by targeting specific sites. This review explores aptamer research, challenges, and future prospects for HIV treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains a global health concern.
- Current combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) effectively suppresses viral replication but faces challenges like drug resistance.
- Novel therapeutic targets and agents are needed to overcome limitations of existing treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on nucleic acid aptamers as anti-HIV agents.
- To provide a target-by-target account of aptamer research against HIV.
- To summarize the challenges and prospects of aptamer-based HIV therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on anti-HIV aptamers.
- Analysis of aptamer binding affinities and specificities.
- Evaluation of therapeutic potential and challenges.
Main Results:
- Nucleic acid aptamers demonstrate high affinity and specificity for various HIV targets.
- Aptamers have shown potential in inhibiting different stages of the HIV lifecycle.
- Challenges include in vivo delivery, stability, and potential immunogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Nucleic acid aptamers represent a promising alternative or complementary strategy to current HIV treatments.
- Further research is needed to optimize aptamer design and delivery for clinical application.
- Aptamers offer a unique approach to combatting drug-resistant HIV strains.
