HIV Cure Research — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

Correct answer: C — 'Shock and kill' strategy — using latency-reversing agents to reactivate latent HIV from reservoirs, making infected cells visible to the immune system for clearance; combined with immune-based therapies (broadly neutralising antibodies, therapeutic vaccines)

HIV cure research focuses on eliminating or controlling the latent viral reservoir (primarily resting CD4 memory T-cells harbouring integrated proviral DNA). Key strategies: (1) 'Shock and kill' — latency-reversing agents (HDAC inhibitors, PKC agonists) reactivate latent HIV + immune interventions to clear reactivated cells, (2) gene therapy (CCR5 disruption — the 'Berlin/London patient' approach), (3) broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs — passive immunisation allowing ART-free remission), (4) therapeutic vaccines. No strategy has yet achieved scalable cure — ART remains the standard of care.

Reference: BHIVA 2025 – ART; Lancet HIV 2024 – HIV cure research