Therefore, it is likely that blocking the CXCR4-dependent promotion of NPC and OPC proliferation at an early phase of the disease can also contribute to aggravation of the disease by perturbing the remission mechanisms (myelin/neuronal protection) following treatment with AMD3100 or with anti-CXCL12 antibodies. The gene discussed is CXCR4; the disease is nasopharyngeal carcinoma.