Antiretroviral Drugs Development; Past, Present and Future

Journal Title: International STD Research & Reviews - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 2

Abstract

Thirty years after the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), more than 29 antiretroviral have been introduced. HIV at present can be managed though; it comes with consequences such as toxicity due to long term use of antiretroviral, development of resistance by HIV-1 strains and other viral or bacterial infections associated with it. Issues such as latency, socio-economic problem in the developing world has been of considerable concern. The benefits of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the developed countries far outweighed those in the underdeveloped nations. HIV belongs to the genus Lentivirus and family Retroviridae, possess a diploid RNA and a cone shaped capsid core particles. The virus consists of major and minor structural and nonstructural proteins that perform different roles in the virus life cycle. In this review we seek to give a comprehensive account of the past, present and future directions in the development of antiretroviral drug. There are five classes of antiretroviral inhibitors which target HIV-1’s reverse transcriptase, protease, integrase, envelope fusion and co-receptor binding thereby disrupting virus replicative cycle. Strategies have emerged on how to better manage HIV patients such as simplification of drugs, complete HAART withdrawal, use of microbicides, targeted PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and vaccine development. There are several host (example; CRIM-1) proteins and virus (example; Rev and Tat) proteins that remain unexplored and could serve as potential druggable targets, thus the need for further research in this direction.

Authors and Affiliations

Effiom Henshaw, Josiah Lennox, Joyce Akpan

Keywords

Related Articles

Knowledge and Attitude of Health Care Workers towards Hepatitis B Infection and Vaccination in a Federal Teaching Hospital in South Western Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the knowledge and attitude of health care workers in a Federal Teaching Hospital in South West, Nigeria towards Hepatitis B vaccination and infection. This study employed a quantit...

Risky Sexual Behaviours and Associated Factors among People with Disabilities in Dessie City

Background: Despite the assumptions that people with disabilities are considered sexually inactive, this group of people is likely to engage in sexual risk behaviours. People with disabilities are the neglected group of...

Disparities in Sexual Activity Indicators among Youth Living in the Slums of Kampala: Comparisons with Representative National and Urban School-Attending Youth

Aims: This study examined the extent to which youth who live on the streets and in the slums of Kampala experience more HIV risky behaviors than representative national and urban school-attending youth. Place and Duratio...

Risky Sexual Behaviour among University Students

Introduction: Early sexual debut, having multiple sex partners, and non-use of condoms are some of the risky sexual behaviors among young people that makes them vulnerable to many health problems such as sexually transmi...

Modelling Human Immunodeficiency Virus cum Tuberculosis Co-infection Dynamics in Kwande-Nigeria: An Econometrics Time Series Approach

Aims: To model the dynamics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) co-infection in Kwande region of Benue state in Nigeria using econometrics time series techniques. Place and Duration of Study: The...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP242809
  • DOI 10.9734/ISRR/2016/24828
  • Views 99
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Effiom Henshaw, Josiah Lennox, Joyce Akpan (2016). Antiretroviral Drugs Development; Past, Present and Future. International STD Research & Reviews, 4(2), 1-30. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-242809