New therapeutics that modulate chemokine networks

Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2002 May;1(5):347-58. doi: 10.1038/nrd795.

Abstract

Chemokines are small cytokines that control a wide variety of biological and pathological processes, from immunosurveillance to inflammation, and from viral infection to cancer. The numerous known chemokine receptors have given hope that selective receptor antagonism might be possible, which could allow us to control which cells are recruited and activated at any time and in any place. As chemokine receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors, which are classical targets for the pharmaceutical industry, it is hoped that chemokines could be the first cytokines for which small-molecule receptor antagonists could be developed. Recently, reports of chemokine-receptor antagonists, both in vitro and in animal models of disease, have been published. It is anticipated that this field could produce clinically useful therapies in the next few years.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists
  • Chemokines / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Chemokines / chemistry
  • Chemokines / physiology
  • Humans
  • Receptors, CCR1
  • Receptors, CCR2
  • Receptors, CCR3
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Chemokine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • CCR1 protein, human
  • CCR2 protein, human
  • CCR3 protein, human
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists
  • Chemokines
  • Receptors, CCR1
  • Receptors, CCR2
  • Receptors, CCR3
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B