Next-Generation CAR-T Cells for HIV Cure Strategies: Dual-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptors for Targeted Elimination of Latent Reservoirs Toward Artificial, Durable, and Adaptive Immune Surveillance

The persistence of latent HIV reservoirs, invisible to the immune system and antiretroviral drugs, remains the definitive barrier to a cure. In this article, I explore a paradigm shift from passive viral suppression to active, programmable immune surveillance using engineered chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells. I focus on the design and strategic application of next-generation, dual-specific CAR-T cells capable of recognizing conserved viral and host-derived markers to precisely eliminate HIV-infected cells emerging from latency. By examining molecular architectures, safety mechanisms, and their role within combinatorial cure strategies, I position these synthetic immune cells as a cornerstone for developing functional or sterilizing HIV cure interventions. This work frames advanced cellular immunotherapy not merely as a treatment, but as the foundation for durable, artificial immune surveillance.