Soluble CD4 and low molecular weight CD4-mimetic compounds sensitize cells to be killed by anti-HIV cytotoxic immunoconjugates

HIV infection can be effectively treated to prevent the development of AIDS, but it cannot be cured. We have attached poisons to anti-HIV antibodies to kill the infected cells that persist even after years of effective antiviral therapy. Here we show that the killing of infected cells can be markedly enhanced by the addition of soluble forms of the HIV receptor CD4 or by mimics of CD4.