Chemokines and chemokine receptors

Chemokines and their receptors constitute a complex signaling network of small chemotactic cytokines and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that orchestrate the migration, positioning, and activation of leukocytes throughout the body [1, 6]. This system is divided into four main subfamilies—CC, CXC, C, and CX3C—based on the spacing of conserved cysteine residues in the ligands [1, 10]. Beyond their fundamental role in immune surveillance and homeostatic cell trafficking, chemokines are critical drivers of pathological processes, including chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer progression [4, 7]. In oncology, the chemokine system promotes tumor cell proliferation, facilitates angiogenesis, and directs organ-specific metastasis [7, 9].}

Other names

Chemotactic cytokinesChemokine systemCC receptorsCXC receptorsC receptorsCX3C receptors7-transmembrane receptors

Drugs targeting this system primarily act as antagonists of G protein-coupled receptors, inhibiting the binding of chemokine ligands to their cognate receptors. Some agents function as allosteric modulators to alter receptor conformation, while monoclonal antibodies may neutralize ligands or deplete receptor-expressing cells through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.