Entry inhibitors, also known as fusion inhibitors, are a class of antiviral drugs that prevent a virus from entering a cell, for example, by blocking a receptor. Entry inhibitors are used to treat conditions such as HIV and hepatitis D.

HIV entry

They are used in combination therapy for the treatment of HIV infection. This class of drugs interferes with the binding, fusion and entry of an HIV virion to a human cell. By blocking this step in HIV's replication cycle, such agents slow the progression from HIV infection to AIDS.

Proteins

There are several key proteins involved in the HIV entry process.

Binding, fusion, entry sequence

HIV entry into a human cell requires the following steps in sequence. Entry inhibitors work by interfering with one aspect of this process.

Approved agents

Investigational agents

Other agents are under investigation for their ability to interact with the proteins involved in HIV entry and the possibility that they may serve as entry inhibitors.