Recent developments in CCR3 antagonists.

Selective eosinophil recruitment into inflammatory sites and their subsequent activation is a characteristic of allergic diseases, such as asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. CC chemokine receptor-3 (CCR3) is the principal mediator of eosinophil chemotaxis and is expressed on a variety of inflammatory cells associated with allergic responses; these cells include basophils, mast cells and T-helper-2 lymphocytes, and resident tissue cells such as airway epithelium. Animal studies suggest that CCR3 is a prominent mediator of allergic responses and that antagonizing the receptor will lead to a reduction in airway inflammation. The potential importance of CCR3 in allergic inflammation has made this receptor a target for drug development. This review summarizes the efforts in this research area that have been reported in the last two years.