Numerous research studies have been undertaken from the time that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was first discovered, but effective treatments for the virus that causes AIDS so far remains elusive. As such, there is need for researchers to adopt new strategies for future research in HIV if they hope to break the deadlock (Agrawal et al, 2006).
In the absence of an effective cure, many researchers are now concentrating on coming up with ways to initiate behavioral change and communication among the most vulnerable members of society (Agrawal et al, 2006). According to the authors, the ABC (abstinence, be faithful, and condoms) have been advanced in many countries as attention shifts from the laboratories to the field, but the strategy needs to be fine-tuned to ensure adherence.
In terms of current development of an effective vaccine to prevent the virus from spreading, Agrawal et al (2006) notes that “neither envelope-based vaccines designed to elicit neutralizing antibodies nor DNA and vector-based vaccines designed to prime and boost cell-mediated immunity have shown efficacy in field trials” (p. 207). The authors therefore are in agreement that future research paradigms focusing on HIV should lay much focus on developing an efficacious vaccine to curtail further spread of the virus.
The observations of Agrawal et al (2006) are supported by Weiss (2008), who argues that future research should target the well-defined steps in viral entry if researchers are interested in finding a breakthrough in the development of a promising therapeutic and prophylactic strategy to cure HIV.
In addition, Weiss (2008) suggests that future research in HIV should be involved in finding alternatives through which the HIV-1 variants with resistant mutations can be successfully eliminated. This observation is elicited by the concern that although we currently have many antiviral drug regimens to ameliorate the suffering and anguish caused by AIDS, the virus itself keeps mutating and hence difficult to treat.
References
Agrawal, L., Xihua, L., Qingwen, J., & Alkhatib, G. (2006). Anti-HIV therapy: Current and future directions. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 12(16), 2031-2055. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database.
Gorin, S.S. (2010). Theory, measurement, and controversy in positive psychology, health psychology, and cancer: Basics and next steps. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 39(1), 43-47. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database.
Naaman, S., Radwan, K., & Johnson, S. (2009). Coping with early breast cancer: Couple adjustment processes and couple-based intervention. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, 72(4), 321-345. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database.
Weiss, R.A. (2008). Special anniversary review: Twenty-five years of human immunodeficiency virus research: Successes and challenges. Clinical Experimental Immunology, 52(2), 201-210. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database.