HIV entry inhibitors in clinical development.
Despite recent advances, present therapies for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection are limited by their failure to eradicate HIV-1, by the emergence of multidrug-resistant variants and by significant toxicities. Current therapies collectively target two viral enzymes involved in intracellular viral replication processes, and there is an urgent need for new treatment modalities. HIV-1 entry is a multistep process that comprises viral attachment, co-receptor interactions and fusion. This cascade of events offers opportunities for therapeutic intervention, and clinical proof-of-principle has been obtained for inhibitors of each step. These agents are referred to broadly as entry inhibitors.
D001287:Attachment Sites, Microbiological / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004357:Drug Synergism; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000235:genetics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans
D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41