Progress and obstacles in the development of an AIDS vaccine

Recent experimental observations suggest approaches to immunization that might finally result in at least a partially effective vaccine against infection with HIV-1. In particular, advances in our understanding of the contribution of vaccine-elicited cellular immunity to protecting memory CD4(+) T cells from virus-mediated destruction provide rational strategies for the development of this vaccine. This is therefore an ideal time to review our current understanding of HIV-1 and its control by the immune system, as well as the remaining problems that must be solved to facilitate the development of an effective vaccine against AIDS.