Which of the following is true regarding Maraviroc? – Pharmacology MCQ

Which of the following is true regarding Maraviroc?
A. Not active orally
B. Bind to transmembrane glycoprotein
C. Targets the CXCR4 receptor
D. Impairs immune surveillance

Correct answer : D. Impairs immune surveillance

HIV virus attachment process. 1 – gp120 attaches to CD4+ receptor. 2 – gp120 variable loop attaches to co-receptor (CCR5 or CXCR4), gp41 fixation to the cell membrane. 3 – HIV virion enters the cell.

• Maraviroc is a CCR5 receptor inhibitor.
• It interferes with the attachment of HIV virus to the host cell.
• It has no effect on the strains of HIV which are tropic for CXCR4 receptor.
• It is given orally.
• Impaired immune surveillance can result due to blocking of human chemokine receptor CCR5.

Ref: Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, K D Tripathi, 7th ed, p811.
Image credits: US National Institutes of Health. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HIV_attachment.gif (edited)