Maraviroc is the first CCR5 receptor antagonist that has been developed and
launched for the treatment of HIV-1. Maraviroc binds in a slowly reversible,
allosteric manner to CCR5, which is one of two principle chemokine co-receptors
for viral entry into the host cell, the other being CXCR4. Binding of maraviroc to
CCR5 induces conformational changes within the chemokine receptor, thereby
preventing CCR5 binding to the viral gp120 protein and the ultimate CCR5-
mediated virus-cell fusion that is a prerequisite for HIV invasion. Maraviroc, with
its unique mechanism of action as a fusion inhibitor, joins the greater than 20
marketed antiretrovirals, including nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
(NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and PIs. It is
approved for use in combination with these other antiretroviral drugs in adult
patients with R5-tropic HIV-1 infection (but not X4 or dual/mixed tropic HIV-1).
Maraviroc is a potent, non-competitive CCR5 receptor antagonist; inhibits binding of HIV viral coat protein gp120. Antiviral.
Maraviroc is a CCR5 antagonist for MIP-1α, MIP-1β and RANTES with IC50 of 3.3 nM, 7.2 nM and 5.2 nM, respectively
ChEBI: A monocarboxylic acid amide obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of 4,4-difluorocyclohexanecarboxylic acid and the primary amino group of (1S)-3-[(3-exo)-3-(3-isopropyl-5-methyl-4H-1,2,4-
riazol-4-yl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-8-yl]-1-phenylpropylamine. An antiretroviral drug, it prevents the interaction of HIV-1 gp120 and chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) necessary for CCR5-tropic HIV-1 to enter cells.
In most patients (c. 60%) failure of response is associated
with the selection of virus that can use CXCR4 as its entry
co-receptor. Evidence for the selection of virus that continues
to use CCR5 has also been described.
Pharmaceutical Applications
A spirodiketopiperazine formulated as tablets for oral use.
Maraviroc is metabolised by cytochrome P450 3A4. The transport and absorption of maraviroc in the intestine and bile is regulated by P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Maraviroc binds to the active site pocket of chemokine receptor CCR5 making the receptor inactive.
Oral absorption: c. 33% (300 mg dose)
Cmax 150 mg twice daily: c. 332 μg/L*
Cmin 150 mg twice daily: c. 101 μg/L*
Plasma half-life: c. 13.2 h (30 mg iv
administration)
Volume of distribution: c. 194 L
Plasma protein binding: c. 76%
Absorption
The absolute bioavailability of a 100 mg dose is 23% and is predicted to be 33% after a 300 mg dose. Co-administration of a 300 mg tablet and a high-fat meal has resulted in reduced Cmax and AUC by 33% in healthy volunteers. However, because no food restrictions were enacted during clinical trials, maraviroc may be taken with or without food.
Distribution
Animal experiments suggest low CSF concentrations around 10% of free plasma concentrations. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk. A study of genital tract secretions and vaginal tissue in healthy HIV-uninfected female volunteers suggest a concentration in cervicovaginal fluid more than four-fold higher than that in plasma.
Metabolism
It is a substrate for CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, but does not appear to inhibit or induce CYP3A4.
Excretion
Seventy-six and 19% of a radiolabeled maraviroc dose were recovered in the feces and urine, respectively.
Treatment of HIV infection (in combination with other antiretroviral drugs)
in treatment-experienced patients
On November 20, 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration approved
a supplemental new drug application to expand the indication for
maraviroc to include combination antiretroviral treatment of treatmentnaive
adults infected with CCR5-tropic HIV virus
There has been some concern that CCR5 blockade may
result in decreased immune surveillance and a subsequent
increased risk of development of malignancies (e.g. lymphomas).
Genetic deficiency of the CCR5 co-receptor is also
known to be a risk factor for the development of symptomatic
West Nile virus infection. No evidence for an increase in
either of these potential risks has so far emerged.
The toxicity profile appears relatively benign. The most
common adverse events described so far include diarrhea,
fatigue, headache and nausea. In placebo-controlled studies
the only differences to emerge were fever (6% versus 4% in
the placebo group) and headache (2% versus 6% with placebo).
Discontinuation because of adverse events was uncommon
and the same in both groups.
Overall, maraviroc was well tolerated with the most common adverse events being cough, fever, colds, rash, muscle and joint pain, stomach pain, and dizziness. While some patients did experience liver enzyme elevation, these events did not appear to be doserelated. Since hepatotoxicity did occur in one patient with prior liver function abnormalities, maraviroc s label warns of a potentially increased risk of hepatoxicity with treatment. Postural hypotension was also observed in a dosedependent manner; however, no patients discontinued therapy as a result. As a substrate for CYP3A4, the dose of maraviroc should be reduced by 50% in the presence of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Conversely, concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inducers requires a 50% increase in maraviroc dose. While there are no contraindications, maraviroc should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction, high risk of cardiovascular events, and pre-existing postural hypotension.
The synthesis of maraviroc involves the convergent connection of a triazole-substituted tropane moiety, a phenylpropyl fragment with a benzylic chiral center, and a 4,4-difluorocyclohexyl unit. In the presence of aqueous HCl and sodium acetate, 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran is cyclized with benzylamine and 2-oxomalonic acid to afford 8-benzyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one. The ketone is converted to an amine via reduction of an intermediate oxime. Carbodiimide-mediated coupling of this amine with isobutyric acid yields the isobutyramide that is subsequently cyclized to the 1,2,4-triazole with acetic hydrazide. The benzyl-protected amine is then liberated by transfer hydrogenation (ammonium formate and palladium hydroxide) and subjected to reductive amination with 3(S)-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-3-phenylpropionaldehyde by means of sodium triacetoxyborohydride. Removal of the BOC-protecting group establishes the handle for the final amide coupling with 4,4-difluorocyclohexane carboxylic acid to provide maraviroc.
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2) Velasco-Velazquez?et al.?(2012),?CCR5 antagonist blocks metastasis of basal breast cancer cells;?Cancer Res.?72?3839
3) Singh?et al.?(2018),?CCR5/CCL5 axis interaction promotes migratory and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells;?Sci.Rep.?8?1323
4) Pervaiz?et al.?(2015),?CCR5 blockage by maraviroc induces cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in colorectal cancer cells;?Med.Oncol.?32?158
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6) Zi?et al.?(2017),?Treatment with the C-C chemokine receptor type 5(CCR5)-inhibitor maraviroc suppresses growth and induces apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells;?Am.J.Cancer Res.?7?869
7) Halama?et al.?(2016),?Tumoral Immune Cell Exploitation in Colorectal Cancer Metastases Can Be targeted Effectively by Anti-CCR5 Therapy in Cancer Patients;?Cancer Cell?29?587