Next-Generation CAR-T Cells for HIV Cure Strategies: Dual-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptors for Targeted Elimination of Latent Reservoirs Toward Artificial, Durable, and Adaptive Immune Surveillance

Abstract

Despite the transformative success of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-1 persists as a lifelong infection due to the establishment of long-lived latent reservoirs. These reservoirs remain immunologically silent and pharmacologically inaccessible, representing the principal barrier to viral eradication. In this analysis, I explore how recent advances in cellular immunotherapy—particularly chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell technology—offer a paradigm shift from passive viral suppression to active, programmable immune surveillance. I focus on the emergence of next-generation, dual-specific CAR-T cells engineered to recognize and eliminate HIV-infected cells, including those emerging from latency. I examine the molecular design principles, antigen selection strategies, safety engineering, and translational challenges that position CAR-T-based approaches as a cornerstone of future functional or sterilizing HIV cure strategies.

Keywords : HIV cure,CAR-T cells,Latent reservoir,Cellular immunotherapy,Synthetic immunity,Dual-specific CAR,Chimeric antigen receptor,Logic-gated CAR,Shock and Kill,Immune surveillance,HIV persistence,Immune evasion,Adoptive cell transfer,Translational medicine,Combination therapy