Is this a legitimate cure for HIV/AIDS?

[lazybratsche]

Another thread on the topic just came up in MPSIMS. To quote myself:

@lazybratsche

My gut reaction is that ciclopirox might have substantial side effects if you dose it intravenously rather than topically. It is, after all, gumming up a fundamental piece of biochemistry. But maybe it could be added to the standard antiviral cocktails in a way that improves overall efficacy.

It’s a long way from “we’ve got a mechanism that works in a dish” to treating patients. And “long way” can be quantified in years, hundreds of millions of dollars, and 99% failure rates.