In order for the HIV virus to take over and destroy human immune cells, which results in AIDS, the virus first has to enter the cells. This takes place by interactions between viral proteins and specific receptors on the surface of our cells. One of these receptors is CXCR4, and it has been shown that chemical compounds that bind to and block the CXCR4 receptor, so-called CXCR4 antagonists, are able ...