Development of HIV Therapeutic Approaches based on Nanotechnology

Abstract

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome appears to be one of the major threats to humankind and is a serious health problem and a fast-spreading incurable disease. Numerous antiviral medications and nucleic acid therapies, including siRNA, have been researched and assessed for HIV prevention due to the virus' complex structural makeup and the absence of a potential vaccine. The antiviral treatments have considerably improved the quality and hope of life for the infected people, but along with the capacity to adapt to the virus, it has prevented further success. HIV primarily affects the body's cell-mediated immune system. It is concentrated in specific inaccessible areas of the body such as the CNS, lymphatic system and macrophages where the majority of therapeutic drugs cannot reach in sufficient concentrations or for the required period. With the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infections is decreasing. Drug resistance and physical obstacles to antiretroviral therapy are still major problems. Different nanocarriers with the stimuli-responsive release are proposed for antiretroviral agents. These include creating nanoparticles with passive and active targeting capabilities as well as ones that can react to a variety of internal and external triggers. Many of the advantages of the lipid system can also be offered by nanocarriers. For the treatment of HIV/AIDS, drug delivery systems such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers and polymeric nanoparticles are being studied. This study seeks to provide an overview of how nanocarrier technology can offer a logical approach to anti-HIV therapy.