The potential of CRISPR-Cas9 in treating HIV: current applications and challenges

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) it causes are still among the major diseases the affect people throughout the world. Of course, antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have increased the average life span of patients, but these drugs do not affect latent viral reservoirs, which is why there is a problem of cure. Existing strategies have so far aimed at anti-HIV interventions happening at deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) level and are currently applicable through CRISPR associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) gene modification which works towards modifying single genes. CRISPR-Cas9 has relevance in HIV treatment as the deregulate the genomic organization of the virus. However, some limitations include mechanisms through which the virus can evade, consequences on other organisms, and problems in ethical issues concerning gene editing in human beings. This review focuses on such questions alongside analyzing how CRISPR-Cas9 interferes with the HIV genome. In order to provide references to work towards the advancement of using technology in treating diseases such as HIV through gene editing.