The tyrosine kinase inhibitor Dasatinib blocks in-vitro HIV-1 production by primary CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infected patients

Abstract

HIV reservoirs persistence despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) might be related to persistent immune activation and residual HIV production, requiring further therapeutic strategies. We demonstrated that the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Dasatinib, used for chronic myeloid leukaemia, significantly blocks in vitro HIV1 production by 3.4 logs in HIV1-infected primary CD4 T lymphocytes, by inhibiting cell activation and proliferation, without cell toxicity. This molecule deserves to be investigated further for HIV cure strategies to hinder persistent immune activation and residual viral production.