A Review of FDA-Approved Anti-HIV-1 Drugs, Anti-Gag Compounds, and Potential Strategies for HIV-1 Eradication


Creative Commons License

SEVER B., Otsuka M., Fujita M., Ciftci H.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, vol.25, no.7, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 25 Issue: 7
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.3390/ijms25073659
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an enormous global health threat stemming from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Up to now, the tremendous advances in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) have shifted HIV-1 infection from a fatal illness into a manageable chronic disorder. However, the presence of latent reservoirs, the multifaceted nature of HIV-1, drug resistance, severe off-target effects, poor adherence, and high cost restrict the efficacy of current cART targeting the distinct stages of the virus life cycle. Therefore, there is an unmet need for the discovery of new therapeutics that not only bypass the limitations of the current therapy but also protect the body's health at the same time. The main goal for complete HIV-1 eradication is purging latently infected cells from patients' bodies. A potential strategy called "lock-in and apoptosis" targets the budding phase of the life cycle of the virus and leads to susceptibility to apoptosis of HIV-1 infected cells for the elimination of HIV-1 reservoirs and, ultimately, for complete eradication. The current work intends to present the main advantages and disadvantages of United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-HIV-1 drugs as well as plausible strategies for the design and development of more anti-HIV-1 compounds with better potency, favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, and improved safety issues.