In search of a treatment for HIV - current therapies and the role of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)

• Published in: Chemical Society reviews 2012-01, Vol.41 (13), p.4657-467
• Main Authors: Reynolds, Chevonne, de Koning, Charles B, Pelly, Stephen C, van Otterlo, Willem A. L, Bode, Moira L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-HIV Agents - chemistry; Anti-HIV Agents - pharmacology; Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use; Drug Discovery; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; HIV - drug effects; HIV - enzymology; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - enzymology; HIV Infections - history; HIV Reverse Transcriptase - antagonists & inhibitors; HIV Reverse Transcriptase - chemistry; HIV Reverse Transcriptase - metabolism; Humans; Models, Molecular; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors - chemistry; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0306-0012; 1460-4744
• DOI: 10.1039/c2cs35058k

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), a disease in which the immune system progressively deteriorates, making sufferers vulnerable to all manner of opportunistic infections. Currently, world-wide there are estimated to be 34 million people living with HIV, with the vast majority of these living in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, an important research focus is development of new drugs that can be used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. This review gives an overview of the disease and addresses the drugs currently used for treatment, with specific emphasis on new developments within the class of allosteric non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). This review gives an overview of HIV, and discusses the drugs currently used for treatment, with specific emphasis on new developments within the class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs).