Patent ID: 8247613

Claim:
A method for activating latent HIV expression in a mammalian cell having an integrated HIV genome, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the mammalian cell with an amount of an activator of latent HIV expression selected from the group consisting of prostratin, DPP, and structural analogs thereof and effective to activate latent HIV expression to a first expression level; and (b) contacting the mammalian cell with an amount of an inhibitor of histone deacetylase effective to activate latent HIV expression to a second expression level, wherein the activator of latent HIV expression and the inhibitor of histone deacetylase synergize to generate the second expression level; wherein a cytotoxic effect in the mammalian cell caused by the amount of activator of latent HIV expression in the presence of the inhibitor of histone deacetylase is less than the cytotoxic effect in the mammalian cell caused by the amount of the activator of latent HIV expression in the absence of the inhibitor of histone deacetylase.