Current perspectives in HIV therapeutics.

摘要

In the 30 years since the first recognition of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), extraordinary and unprecedented progress has been made in understanding the patho-genesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and in the development of medications to treat the virus. These advances have transformed HIV from what was previously considered a uniformly fatal disease to a chronic viral infection that can be effectively managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART). As a result of improved HIV therapeutics, patients are experiencing improved quality of life and longer life expectancy. Ongoing progress in the field of HIV medicine also has made it challenging for clinicians to keep pace with current clinical issues and approaches (see "Practical Applications for the Practicing Allergist-Immunologist" in this issue). Several selected advancements in HIV therapeutics are discussed further in the following paragraphs.