A turning point in AIDS research: the search for new frontiers.
Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:50 (abstract no. PS9) Paul WE; Office of AIDS Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
As the worldwide AIDS pandemic continues to gather force, devastating areas of the world, a reassessment of the scientific response to this global emergency is needed. Although the first decade of research on this disease has produced a stunning body of knowledge regarding the character of HIV and has provided considerable insight into its myriad pathogenic mechanisms, fundamental gaps in our knowledge of the basic biology of the disease remain, hindering the progress of efforts to find effective therapeutic agents and potential vaccines. Limited international resources to confront the rising human and economic costs of the pandemic demand a search for new frontiers and a realignment of research priorities to open horizons for future investigation. A rededication of the AIDS research effort to basic science is essential, to understand the fundamental principles of viral structure, function, pathogenesis and anti-viral immunity. This renewed commitment to basic science must be carefully balanced with the critical need to maintain a vigorous drug discovery and clinical trials program to develop both anti-viral agents and agents active in ameliorating the opportunistic infections, malignancies and other complications of this disease. This vast challenge requires the collective efforts not only of that component of the scientific community that has already dedicated itself to the fight against AIDS, but in addition, a vigorous recruitment of our colleagues in related scientific disciplines who have much to offer to this struggle.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV, HIV-1, Clinical Trials, Neoplasms, Forecasting, Human, ICA10 940807
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