Since integration is a vital step in retroviral replication, blocking it can halt further spread of the virus.
Integrase inhibitors were initially developed for the treatment of HIV infection, but have been applied to other retroviruses.
The development of integrase inhibitors led to a first approval for the class by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 12, 2007, for raltegravir (brand name Isentress).
[1] Research published at the time supported the conclusion that "[for people living with HIV,] raltegravir plus optimized background therapy provided better viral suppression than optimized background therapy alone for at least 48 weeks.
"[2] Since integrase inhibitors target a distinct step in the retroviral life cycle, they may be taken in combination with other types of HIV drugs to minimize adaptation by the virus.