Maturation inhibitor

Maturation inhibitor is a class of antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV infection. These drugs work by inhibiting the final stage of the HIV life cycle, preventing the virus from maturing and becoming infectious.

Mechanism of Action

Maturation inhibitors work by targeting the Gag protein, a key component of the HIV virus. The Gag protein is responsible for the assembly and release of new virus particles from infected cells. By inhibiting the function of the Gag protein, maturation inhibitors prevent the virus from assembling properly, resulting in the release of immature, non-infectious virus particles.

Examples

One example of a maturation inhibitor is Bevirimat, which was the first drug of this class to enter clinical trials. However, its development was discontinued due to poor oral bioavailability and the presence of naturally occurring HIV variants resistant to the drug.

Another example is GSK3532795, also known as BMS-955176, which is currently in Phase IIb clinical trials. This drug has shown promise in early trials, demonstrating potent antiviral activity and a good safety profile.

Clinical Use

Maturation inhibitors are used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs as part of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the treatment of HIV infection. They offer a novel mechanism of action, providing an additional option for patients who have developed resistance to other classes of antiretroviral drugs.

Future Development

The development of new maturation inhibitors is an active area of research. The goal is to develop drugs with improved potency, better safety profiles, and activity against HIV variants resistant to existing antiretroviral drugs.

See Also

• Antiretroviral drug
• HIV/AIDS
• Antiretroviral therapy
• Gag (HIV)