Towards an HIV cure: a global scientific strategy

Abstract
The development of effective antiretroviral therapies has greatly improved the disease prognosis for patients with HIV. However, the limitations of these therapies have renewed interest in developing alternative treatment strategies. Here, a group of experts from the International AIDS Society discuss the research steps that need to be taken to achieve the ultimate objective — a cure for HIV. Given the limitations of antiretroviral therapy and recent advances in our understanding of HIV persistence during effective treatment, there is a growing recognition that a cure for HIV infection is both needed and feasible. The International AIDS Society convened a group of international experts to develop a scientific strategy for research towards an HIV cure. Several priorities for basic, translational and clinical research were identified. This Opinion article summarizes the group's recommended key goals for the international community.