Validation of chemokine receptors as drug targets.

The number of known potential drug targets within the chemokine system has expanded in the last decade with the characterization of new chemokines and chemokine receptors. However, at present, limited information exists on the potential of these receptors as drug targets due to the lack of small molecule chemokine receptor antagonists. This review focuses on current information relating to these receptors obtained through genetic knockout experiments, as well as experiments performed with peptide antagonists and receptor antibodies.