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
| dc.contributor.author | Barack Ndenga | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-01-14T16:13:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-01-14 | |
| dc.description | The persistence of latent HIV reservoirs, invisible to the immune system and antiretroviral drugs, remains the definitive barrier to a cure. In this article, I explore a paradigm shift from passive viral suppression to active, programmable immune surveillance using engineered chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells. I focus on the design and strategic application of next-generation, dual-specific CAR-T cells capable of recognizing conserved viral and host-derived markers to precisely eliminate HIV-infected cells emerging from latency. By examining molecular architectures, safety mechanisms, and their role within combinatorial cure strategies, I position these synthetic immune cells as a cornerstone for developing functional or sterilizing HIV cure interventions. This work frames advanced cellular immunotherapy not merely as a treatment, but as the foundation for durable, artificial immune surveillance. | |
| dc.description.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 | |
| dc.description.provenance | Submitted by Barack Ndenga (ndengabarack@gmail.com) on 2026-01-14T16:13:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 109th.pdf: 495023 bytes, checksum: 1a974292caae5e5d6b8f02b85a682664 (MD5) | en |
| dc.description.provenance | Made available in DSpace on 2026-01-14T16:13:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 109th.pdf: 495023 bytes, checksum: 1a974292caae5e5d6b8f02b85a682664 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2026-01-14 | en |
| dc.description.sponsorship | None | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://africarxiv.ubuntunet.net/handle/1/10726 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Publisher | |
| dc.title | 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 | |
| dc.type | Article |