Overcoming a Therapeutic Dilemma
As noted, entry inhibitors are some of the newer drugs that are being tested. Entry inhibitors aim to interfere with the early process of the virus infecting the host cell. Included in the chain of events that comprise that process is the involvement of a host cell surface protein, CXCR4.
"Blocking CXCR4 is problematic, because research suggests it is necessary for proper immune system function," said Elias Lolis, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology at Yale University School of Medicine. GSK awarded Dr. Lolis $50,000 for his research.
Dr. Lolis' research involves attempting to identify molecules, called allosteric agonists, which would allow the use of entry inhibitor drugs while overcoming this problem.
Drugs Developed For Other Diseases May Work Against HIV
Min Lu, Ph.D., is performing structural biology studies to determine how Doxovir
"Existing drug therapy cannot eradicate the virus, and drug-resistant variants are emerging at an alarming rate, making it imperative for new classes of drugs to be discovered to supplement or partially replace existing regimens," said Dr. Lu, associate professor of biochemistry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
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Contact: Elaine Salewske
esalewske@pcipr.com
312-558-1770
Public Communications Inc.
1-Oct-2002