Despite significant efforts to prevent and treat HIV-1 infection, HIV/AIDS continues to pose a significant threat to human health worldwide. Even though combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can stop HIV-1 from reproducing, it can't get rid of the proviral DNA that is embedded in the human genome. Because of this, it needs to be taken for the rest of one's life and may cause side effects. Cas9-related gene-editing systems, which are clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9) related, have been developed and designed as effective treatments for HIV-1 infection in recent years. However, new gene-targeting tools, such as base editor, prime editor, SHERLOCK, DETECTR, PAC-MAN, ABACAS, and pfAGO, have been developed and improved for the purpose of detecting pathogens and correcting diseases. These tools are derived from or function in the same way as CRISPR/Cas9. On the basis of research on the molecular basis of HIV-1 infection, we provide additional gene-editing targets and a summary of recent research on HIV-1/AIDS gene therapy. Additionally, we identify the strategies and potential applications of these brand-new gene-editing technologies for future HIV/AIDS treatment. In addition, we discuss the limitations and issues that need to be resolved prior to the clinical application of these adaptable CRISPR-based gene targeting tools. In conclusion, we present alternative strategies for enhancing gene targeting in HIV/AIDS gene therapy.
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Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research received 5264 citations as per Google Scholar report
