New Compounds targeting HIV-1 latent reservoirs

What is it about?

This study describes the discovery of five novel compounds designated PH01–PH05, which have the ability to reawaken proviruses from the latent reservoir without causing cytotoxic effects. Through in‐depth investigation of these compounds, the research identifies a new combinational regimen comprised of PH02 and a previously known compound, PEP005, which exhibits significant latency‐reversing activity when examined in both in vitro cell models and CD4+ T cells purified from HIV‐infected patients on antiretroviral therapy

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Why is it important?

An HIV cure could be achieved through elimination of the latent reservoir of infected cells. One possibility toward this goal known as shock and kill involves forcing reactivation of the latent reservoir by therapeutic intervention to expose those infected cells to immune responses or virus‐induced apoptosis. We believe the combinatorial regime identified in this study may provide a novel means to abolish the HIV‐persistent infection in a patient's body.