Emerging CRISPR-Based Therapeutics for HIV Eradication

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continued to pose a major global health challenge, with current antiretroviral therapies unable to fully eradicate the virus due to latent reservoirs and potential drug resistance. Emerging CRISPR-based gene editing technologies had the potential to revolutionize HIV treatment by targeting and disrupting the viral genome or modifying host cells to confer resistance. This article explored the mechanisms of CRISPR in HIV therapeutics, including excision of integrated HIV proviruses and genetic editing of host immune cells. It reviewed progress in CRISPR-based research through in vitro studies, animal models, and early clinical trials, highlighting both promising advancements and ongoing challenges such as delivery efficiency, off-target effects, and viral escape. The methodology employed in writing this review paper involved a comprehensive literature review and synthesis of recent research findings to assess the current state and future directions of CRISPR-based HIV therapies. Despite significant progress, challenges remained, and future research will need to focus on improving delivery systems, combining CRISPR with other therapies, and optimizing gene editing in stem cells to achieve long-term HIV eradication. Keywords: CRISPR-Cas9, HIV Therapy, Gene Editing, Latent Reservoirs, CCR5 Receptor.