UC Davis researchers exploring gene therapy to fight AIDS Dec 6, 2008
Later in the infection it targets CD4+ T cells, binding to the CXCR4 receptor on the surface of these cells and bringing on full-blown AIDS.. What researchers discovered is that there is a natural mutation in less than 1 percent of Caucasians that results in a lack of CCR5 receptors on any of their cells. (EurekAlert!)
Pfizer drug approval helps Monogram Nov 27, 2008
The Trofile test identifies if the virus that binds to the other co-receptor, CXCR4, also is present. Not identifying even small amounts of the virus that uses the CXCR4 path means that particular strain of the virus could become dominant as Selzentry blocks the CCR5 path. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Subgroup Analyses of Maraviroc in Previously Treated R5 HIV-1 Infection Oct 3, 2008
More patients in whom maraviroc failed had a virus binding to the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) at failure, but there was no evidence of a decrease in the CD4 cell count at failure in such patients as compared with those in whom placebo failed. Subanalyses involving patients coinfected with HBV or HCV revealed no evidence of excess hepatotoxic effects as compared with baseline. (New England Journal of Medicine)
New Synthetic Form Of Protein Holds Promise To Stop Cancer Spread Sep 19, 2008
It had been previously established that CXCL12 and its target cellular receptor, CXCR4, played an important role in the migration of cancer cells to common sites of tumor formation, such as bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver and lung tissue ... To discover the new inhibitor, Dr. Volkman s lab created a new three-dimensional model of how the CXCL12 protein interacts with a portion of the CXCR4 receptor ... To complete the molecular model for CXCL12 binding to CXCR4, Drs. (Science Daily)
New 'Trick' Allows HIV To Overcome A Barrier To Infection Sep 9, 2008
Specifically, they show, binding of HIV to the receptor known as CXCR4 activates cofilin, a protein that disassembles actin microfilaments in the resting T cells ... Earlier studies had shown that HIV relies on two CD4 coreceptors on the surface of T cells, CCR5 and CXCR4 ... On the other hand, infection of resting T cells via CXCR4 seemed a more restricted process. (Science Daily)
Scientists Spot New Twist in HIV Infection Sep 5, 2008
But in more than 50 percent of patients, the virus begins to attack resting T-cells, too, via a receptor called CXCR4 ... According to the researchers, HIV binds with the CXCR4 receptor on resting T-cells, and that activates a protein called cofilin ... "The emergence of CXCR4 [type virus] usually is late in the disease, and it's usually associated with a relatively severe decline in CD4 T-cells. So, it's not a good sign," Marsh said. (Health-Finder)
New Weapon For Attacking Tumor Invasion And Metastasis Jun 22, 2008
In the view of the authors, their research has shown elevated CXCR4 (a new receptor on cancer cells) expression in primary CRC is associated with liver and lymph node metastasis, which prompts them to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon. They also found AMD3100 had significant antitumor activity through regulating pathways downstream of CXCR4 and impaired formation of tumor micro vessels and expression of invasive associated genes ... Li et al. Inhibition of CXCR4 activity with AMD3100... (Science Daily)
Adult Stem Cells Aid Fracture Healing; UNC Study Lays Groundwork For Potential Treatments Jun 19, 2008
They found that these cells were specifically attracted to the fracture site, and that a particular molecule called CXCR4 -- which acts as a homing signal -- was necessary for the migration. Using a computerized tomography (CT or CAT) scan, the researchers showed that the stem cells not only migrated to the site of the fracture, but also improved healing there by increasing the bone and cartilage that bridged the bone gap. (Science Daily)
Protein Linked To Alzheimer's Disease Also Has Role In HIV Progression Jun 18, 2008
The corresponding apoE4 isoform enhanced in vitro HIV fusion/cell entry of HIV strains that use both the CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokine coreceptors to enter the cell. However, the apoE4 gene did not increase the incidence of HIV-associated dementia. (Science Daily)
Chemokine Therapeutics Announces Issuance of Two New U.S. Patents May 28, 2008
Patent No. 7,354,899 entitled "Methods of treating Autoimmune Diseases Comprising Administering CXCR4 Antagonists" is related to the treatment of a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis and psoriasis. The patent was filed based on considerable evidence that the pathway, involving the SDF-1 chemokine and its CXCR4 receptor, plays a significant role in autoimmune diseases. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Biological Factors That May Drive Prostate Tumor Aggressiveness In African-American Men Found Feb 13, 2008
Two of these genes, CXCR4 and CCR7, have been linked to cancer metastasis and encode proteins that are commonly produced during inflammation and infection. In addition, expression of a number of genes that are induced by a cytokine called interferon was found to be elevated in the African-American prostate tumor tissues. (Science Daily)
Scientists discover possible key to HIV's attack on people Feb 12, 2008
Two other important receptors, known as CCR5 and CXCR4, were identified in 1996. CCR5 is a normal component of human cells and acts as a doorway for the entry of HIV. People who lack it because of a genetic mutation rarely become infected even if they have been exposed to HIV repeatedly. (International Herald Tribune)
Newly Found HIV Receptor May Offer Therapy Target Feb 12, 2008
The binding is also independent of the other HIV receptors, CD4, CCR5 and CXCR4, the researchers showed. Signaling produced by the interaction of the gp120 loop and alpha-4 beta-7 led to activation of integrin LFA-1, which is involved in the establishment of virological synapses that allow direct cell-to-cell spread of HIV, Dr. Arthos and colleagues said. (MedPage Today)
NIAID scientists identify new cellular receptor for HIV Feb 10, 2008
Several other immune cell receptors bind to HIV. Most important among these, the CD4 molecule, identified as an HIV receptor in 1984, functions as the principal receptor for HIV. The CCR5 and CXCR4 molecules, discovered in 1996, serve as co-receptors that HIV uses to enter its target cells. In the new study, which appears online Feb. 10, 2008 in Nature Immunology, NIAID scientists identify a cell adhesion molecule known as integrin alpha 4 beta 7 as another potentially important receptor for... (EurekAlert!)
Northwest Biotherapeutics Conducting Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trial With DCVax(R)-L at University of Pennsylvania Dec 27, 2007
The Company also has a second technology platform, involving monoclonal antibodies to CXCR4, which is at the late pre-clinical development stage. For further information, please visit the company web site at. (PR Newswire)
Metastatix gets new cash boost Oct 10, 2007
Using technology licensed from Atlanta's Emory University, Metastatix said it is creating a portfolio of chemical compounds that block the CXCR4 receptor. These compounds have shown efficacy in validated pre-clinical models of cancer, inflammation, and T-tropic HIV infection. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)
Cancer Stem Cell Subpopulation Drives Metastasis Of Human Pancreatic Cancer Sep 14, 2007
They identified a distinct subset of cells expressing both CD133 and the chemokine receptor CXCR4, which plays a key role in blood cell migration, in the invasive front of the tumor. Implantation of isolated CD133+/CXCR4+ cells into mice resulted in metastatic tumor development, identifying them as CSCs ... Cancer metastasis was abolished by inhibiting CXCR4 or by transplanting CD133+/CXCR4- cells instead, underlining the importance of CXCR4 for the invasive cell behavior. (Science Daily)
Cancer stem cells drive metastasis Sep 13, 2007
But when they were preincubated with antibodies to CXCR4 (or depleted of CXCR4+ cells), they remained tumorigenic but lost the ability to metastasize. "That shows the significance of the CXCR4 receptor in giving rise to metastases," Hermann concluded ... "I expect that CXCR4 will play a role in metastasis of many other tumors," he added. (The Scientist)
Diet and lifestyle -- In the cancer fight, eating well is the best revenge Apr 16, 2007
The researchers looked at the potential of DIM and genistein to interfere with the "CXCR4/CXCL12 axis," which is known to play a central role in the metastasis of breast cancer and is also thought to play a role in the development of ovarian cancer. Primary cancer cells express very high levels of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor on the surface of their cells, and the organs to which these cancers metastasize secrete high levels of the CXCL12 chemokine ligand ... When breast and ovarian cancer cell... (EurekAlert!)
Chemokine Therapeutics announces preliminary results of CTCE-9908 Phase Ib/II clinical trial in late stage cancer patients Mar 12, 2007
About CTCE-9908 CTCE-9908 is a peptide analog of the Chemokine SDF-1, and an antagonist of its receptor, CXCR4. SDF-1 is the only known naturally occurring chemokine that binds to CXCR4, which is present on many cancer cells. (Canada Newswire)
2 NEW DRUGS OFFER OPTIONS IN HIV FIGHT... Feb 28, 2007
Yet another issue is that some viruses use a different entry portal called CXCR4. Before getting maraviroc, patients will have to be tested to see which portal their virus uses, which would make the drug an early example of personalized medicine tailored to the patient. (The Drudge Report)
Batten Down The Hatches Against HIV: Carbon Nanotubes Transport Gene Therapy Drug Into T-cells Feb 22, 2007
Also involved is the co-receptor CXCR4. The use of short interfering RNA strands allows the CD4 and CXCR4 genes of the T-cell to be shut off. (Science Daily)
Men's testicles 'HIV hiding spot' Feb 4, 2007
These cells, called macrophages, had all of the required receptors - CD4, CXCR4, CCR5, and DC-SIGN - to bind HIV.. Closer inspection revealed HIV was making copies of itself within the testicular macrophages. (BBC News -- Health)
