Target cell availability and the successful suppression of HIV by hydroxyurea and didanosine

Abstract

Surprisingly, immunosuppressive treatment can enhance the efficacy of conventional HIV-1 antiretroviral treatment, and can be beneficial for HIV-1- infected patients. This argues for a role of target cell availability in limiting the HIV-1 infection, and is in agreement with mathematical models suggesting that immunosuppression may limit the outgrowth of drugresistant escape mutants. Immunosuppressive drugs like hydroxyurea (HU) may therefore be powerful and affordable supplements to HIV-1 antiretroviral therapy.