April 2000 Cover
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Experimental new AIDS drugs called entry inhibitors could be better treatments for HIV patients, especially those with drug-resistant strains of the virus. Entry inhibitors stop HIV from entering cells, so
the virus' content never enter the cell's interior.
Researchers discovered several years ago a small group of people who had no or only some of a receptor known as CCR5, which is used by HIV to enter cells during initial infection. People who lack CCR5
are likely to be immune to HIV, while those with a lower number of CCR5 receptors can acquire the virus but usually experience slow disease progression. Other strategies to block HIV if HIV evades CCR5 include a
compound called AMD3100, which blocks a receptor called CXCR4, and T-20, which prevents HIV and cell membranes from fusing.
Editor's Note: from the Washington Post
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