Antiviral Targets and Known Antivirals (HAART)

Abstract

In 2021, the number of HIV-positive people worldwide was estimated to be 38.4 million. Since its discovery four decades ago, the scope of the HIV infection has outstripped all predictions, necessitating the urgent need to develop novel antivirals against the virus that target crucial stages in the virus’ life cycle. New antiviral drug classes that were developed in response to the HIV epidemic were coupled to offer very highly active antiretroviral treatment. These novel highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) were developed as a result of the emergence of drug-resistant strains of the virus. By inhibiting these enzymes, reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease that are essential for viral attachment, entry, integration, and maturation, antiretroviral therapy (ART) strategies can suppress the virus, lower the viral load, boost CD4 count, and ultimately halt the progression of the disease. Advances in research on the biology of both the immature and the mature forms of the HIV capsid in terms of its structure and function have made it possible to discover and/or design small molecules and peptides that interfere with the virus’s assembly and maturation. This article presents and reviews HAART’s current state and strategies as a very active antiviral.