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New antiretroviral agents cenicriviroc
Cenicriviroc (INN, code names TAK-652, TBR-652) is an experimental drug candidate for the treatment of HIV infection. It is being developed by Takeda and Tobira Therapeutics.
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Cenicriviroc is an inhibitor of CCR2 and CCR5 receptors, allowing it to function as an entry inhibitor which prevents the virus from entering into a human cell. Inhibition of CCR2 may have an anti-inflammatory effect.
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study to assess the antiviral activity, safety, and tolerability of cenicriviroc was conducted in 2010. HIV-infected patients taking cenicriviroc had significant reductions in viral load, with the effect persisting up to two weeks after discontinuation of treatment. Additional Phase II clinical trials are underway.
Phase IIb data presented at the 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in March 2013 showed similar viral suppression rates of 76% for patients taking 100 mg cenicriviroc, 73% with 200 mg cenicriviroc, and 71% with efavirenz. Non-response rates were higher with cenicriviroc, however, largely due to greater drop-out of patients. A new tablet formulation with lower pill burden may improve adherence. Looking at immune and inflammatory biomarkers, levels of MCP-1 increased and soluble CD14 decreased in the cenicriviroc arms.