Research Toward a Cure for Perinatal HIV

Abstract

In virtually all people living with HIV-1 (PLWH), including children, HIV-1 integrates and becomes latent in CD4⁺ T cells, forming a latent HIV-1 reservoir that current antiretroviral drugs and immune surveillance mechanisms cannot target. This latent infection in CD4⁺ T cells renders HIV-1 infection lifelong and incurable. Consequently, there is intense research focused on identifying therapeutic strategies to reduce and control the latent reservoir, aiming to avert a lifetime of antiretroviral therapy for PLWH. This review discusses the global efforts for children and adolescents living with HIV-1.

Keywords: ART-Free HIV-1 remission; HIV-1 cure; Perinatal HIV-1.