Killing two birds with one drug: a new application for HIV-1 cell entry inhibitors in the treatment of metastatic cancer.

Abstract

The chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 serve as co-receptors for the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and thus, are important cellular components during HIV-1 cell entry. In recent years, a new biological role for chemokine receptors has emerged in assisting the spread of primary tumors to distant secondary sites within the human body (metastasis). This review highlights some of the HIV-1 cell entry inhibitors (antagonists), which are currently in development and/or under evaluation in clinical trials, and discusses the therapeutic use of these new antagonists for the treatment of certain forms of metastatic cancer.