Blocking the CXCL12-CXCR4/ACKR3 interaction by administration of small-molecule antagonists or neutralizing antibodies showed to be beneficial in pre-clinical and clinical studies for treatment of cancer, viral infections, IBD, arthritis, asthma, acute lung injury, ALS, and Warts, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Immunodeficiency, and Myelokathexis syndrome (WHIM syndrome). The gene discussed is CXCR4; the disease is cancer.