Chemokines are an expanding family of chemoattractant polypeptides involved in the extravasation of leukocytes during the inflammatory process. This review highlights recent advances in the field, including the discovery of a new class of chemokines, and several novel receptors. In addition, the expanding role of chemokines in pathologic processes other than extravasation and their potential as therapeutic targets are discussed. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.