HIV integrase: The next target?

Despite significant advances in antiretroviral therapy, the search for less expensive and more potent anti-HIV agents continues. Two HIV-polymerase gene products, reverse transcriptase and protease, have already been exploited as therapeutic targets. A third polymerase gene product, integrase, is required for viral replication, representing another likely, target. While several putative HIV integrase inhibitors have been described, only 1 has moved into phase I clinical trials. This review discusses the future of HIV integrase inhibitors for patients with HIV disease, focusing on HIV integrase biology and previously described HIV integrase inhibitors.