Preface

The book series, “Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research-HIV” presents important recent developments in the form of cutting edge reviews written by the authorities in the field. The chapters in this 3^rd volume are mainly focused on Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, different HIV-1 inhibitors (integrase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, entry inhibitors and reverse transcriptase inhibitors), Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and blockage of HIV-1 replication.

Anna Rosa Garbuglia in Chapter 1 discusses a common sexually transmitted disease, Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that leads to about 250,000 deaths each year. Ashton et al., in chapter 2 discuss the structure, function and mechanism of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) uses multiple drugs that can act on special viral targets. Chapter 3 by Silpi Basak describes the importance of this therapy that stops the replication of HIV and reduces HIV related deaths, illness and hospitalization by 60-80%.

Chapters 4 to 8 by Liu & Kong provide novel insights into the design of individual anti-HIV strategies on treatments and minimizing side effects for clinical development. These chapters include current progress and challenges in the development of entry inhibitors, prospects of reverse transcriptase inhibitors, targets and clinical applications of integrase inhibitors, outlook of proteinase inhibitors and blocking HIV-1 replication by targeting the Tat-hijacked transcriptional machinery.

I am grateful to all the eminent scientists for their excellent contributions. I also express my gratitude to the editorial staff, particularly Mr. Mahmood Alam (Director Publication), Mr. Shehzad Naqvi (Senior Manager Publications) and Ms. Fariya Zulfiqar (Assistant Manager Publications) for their hard work and persistent efforts.