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Monti L, Liu LJ, Varricchio C, Lucero B, Alle T, Yang W, Bem-Shalom I, Gilson M, Brunden KR, Brancale A, Caffrey CR, Ballatore C. Structure-Activity Relationships, Tolerability and Efficacy of Microtubule-Active 1,2,4-Triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as Potential Candidates to Treat Human African Trypanosomiasis. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300193. [PMID: 37429821 PMCID: PMC10615688 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Tubulin and microtubules (MTs) are potential protein targets to treat parasitic infections and our previous studies have shown that the triazolopyrimidine (TPD) class of MT-active compounds hold promise as antitrypanosomal agents. MT-targeting TPDs include structurally related but functionally diverse congeners that interact with mammalian tubulin at either one or two distinct interfacial binding sites; namely, the seventh and vinca sites, which are found within or between α,β-tubulin heterodimers, respectively. Evaluation of the activity of 123 TPD congeners against cultured Trypanosoma brucei enabled a robust quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model and the prioritization of two congeners for in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK), tolerability and efficacy studies. Treatment of T. brucei-infected mice with tolerable doses of TPDs significantly decreased blood parasitemia within 24 h. Further, two once-weekly doses at 10 mg/kg of a candidate TPD significantly extended the survival of infected mice relative to infected animals treated with vehicle. Further optimization of dosing and/or the dosing schedule of these CNS-active TPDs may provide alternative treatments for human African trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Monti
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Present affiliation: Chemistry Department, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, W12 0BZ, London, UK
| | - Lawrence J Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carmine Varricchio
- Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, CF103NB, Cardiff, UK
| | - Bobby Lucero
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thibault Alle
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wenqian Yang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ido Bem-Shalom
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael Gilson
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kurt R Brunden
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3600 Spruce Street, 19104-6323, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrea Brancale
- Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, CF103NB, Cardiff, UK
- Present affiliation: Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze, Department of Organic Chemistry, Technická 5, 16628, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carlo Ballatore
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Monti L, Liu LJ, Varricchio C, Lucero B, Alle T, Yang W, Bem-Shalom I, Gilson M, Brunden KR, Brancale A, Caffrey CR, Ballatore C. Structure-Activity Relationships, Tolerability and Efficacy of Microtubule-Active 1,2,4-Triazolo[1,5- a ]pyrimidines as Potential Candidates to Treat Human African Trypanosomiasis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.11.532093. [PMID: 36945407 PMCID: PMC10028969 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.11.532093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Tubulin and microtubules (MTs) are potential protein targets to treat parasitic infections and our previous studies have shown that the triazolopyrimidine (TPD) class of MT- active compounds hold promise as antitrypanosomal agents. MT-targeting TPDs include structurally related but functionally diverse congeners that interact with mammalian tubulin at either one or two distinct interfacial binding sites; namely, the seventh and vinca sites, which are found within or between α,β-tubulin heterodimers, respectively. Evaluation of the activity of 123 TPD congeners against cultured Trypanosoma brucei enabled a robust quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model and the prioritization of two congeners for in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK), tolerability and efficacy studies. Treatment of T. brucei -infected mice with tolerable doses of TPDs 3 and 4 significantly decreased blood parasitemia within 24 h. Further, two once-weekly doses of 4 at 10 mg/kg significantly extended the survival of infected mice relative to infected animals treated with vehicle. Further optimization of dosing and/or the dosing schedule of these CNS-active TPDs may provide alternative treatments for human African trypanosomiasis.
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Monti L, Wang SC, Oukoloff K, Smith AB, Brunden KR, Caffrey CR, Ballatore C. Brain-Penetrant Triazolopyrimidine and Phenylpyrimidine Microtubule Stabilizers as Potential Leads to Treat Human African Trypanosomiasis. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:1751-1754. [PMID: 29969537 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In vitro whole-organism screens of Trypanosoma brucei with representative examples of brain-penetrant microtubule (MT)-stabilizing agents identified lethal triazolopyrimidines and phenylpyrimidines with sub-micromolar potency. In mammalian cells, these antiproliferative compounds disrupt MT integrity and decrease total tubulin levels. Their parasiticidal potency, combined with their generally favorable pharmacokinetic properties, which include oral bioavailability and brain penetration, suggest that these compounds are potential leads against human African trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Monti
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Steven C Wang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Killian Oukoloff
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Amos B Smith
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6323, USA
| | - Kurt R Brunden
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6323, USA
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Carlo Ballatore
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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Winter I, Lockhauserbäumer J, Lallinger-Kube G, Schobert R, Ersfeld K, Biersack B. Anti-trypanosomal activity of cationic N -heterocyclic carbene gold(I) complexes. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2017; 214:112-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Widmeier E, Tan W, Airik M, Hildebrandt F. A small molecule screening to detect potential therapeutic targets in human podocytes. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2016; 312:F157-F171. [PMID: 27760769 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00386.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
WIDMEIER E, TAN W, AIRIK M, HILDEBRANDT F A small molecule screening to detect potential therapeutic targets in human podocytes. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 312: F157-F171, 2017. First published October 19, 2016; doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00386.2016. Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) inevitably progresses to end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or transplantation for survival. However, treatment modalities and drug discovery remain limited. Mutations in over 30 genes have been discovered as monogenic causes of SRNS. Most of these genes are predominantly expressed in the glomerular epithelial cell, the podocyte, placing it at the center of the pathogenesis of SRNS. Podocyte migration rate (PMR) represents a relevant intermediate phenotype of disease in monogenic causes of SRNS. We therefore adapted PMR in a high-throughput manner to screen small molecules as potential therapeutic targets for SRNS. We performed a high-throughput drug screening of a National Institutes of Health Clinical Collection (NCC) library (n = 725 compounds) measuring PMR by videomicroscopy. We used the Woundmaker to perform individual 96-well scratch wounds and screened compounds using a quantitative kinetic live cell imaging migration assay using IncuCyte ZOOM technology. Using a normal distribution for the average PMR in wild-type podocytes with a vehicle control (DMSO), we applied a 90% confidence interval to define "distinct" compounds (5% faster/slower PMR) and found that 12 of 725 compounds (at 10 μM) reduced PMR. Clusters of drugs that alter PMR included actin/tubulin modulators such as the azole class of antifungals and antineoplastic vinca-alkaloids. We hereby identify compounds that alter PMR. The PMR assay provides a new avenue to test therapeutics for nephrotic syndrome. Positive results may reveal novel pathways in the study of glomerular diseases such as SRNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugen Widmeier
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and.,Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Weizhen Tan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Merlin Airik
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Friedhelm Hildebrandt
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
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Colchicine treatment reversibly blocks cytokinesis but not mitosis in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:641-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4227-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Wink M. Medicinal plants: a source of anti-parasitic secondary metabolites. Molecules 2012; 17:12771-91. [PMID: 23114614 PMCID: PMC6268567 DOI: 10.3390/molecules171112771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Revised: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes human infections caused by endoparasites, including protozoa, nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes, which affect more than 30% of the human population, and medicinal plants of potential use in their treatment. Because vaccinations do not work in most instances and the parasites have sometimes become resistant to the available synthetic therapeutics, it is important to search for alternative sources of anti-parasitic drugs. Plants produce a high diversity of secondary metabolites with interesting biological activities, such as cytotoxic, anti-parasitic and anti-microbial properties. These drugs often interfere with central targets in parasites, such as DNA (intercalation, alkylation), membrane integrity, microtubules and neuronal signal transduction. Plant extracts and isolated secondary metabolites which can inhibit protozoan parasites, such as Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Trichomonas and intestinal worms are discussed. The identified plants and compounds offer a chance to develop new drugs against parasitic diseases. Most of them need to be tested in more detail, especially in animal models and if successful, in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Wink
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, INF 364, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Jacobs RT, Nare B, Phillips MA. State of the art in African trypanosome drug discovery. Curr Top Med Chem 2011; 11:1255-74. [PMID: 21401507 PMCID: PMC3101707 DOI: 10.2174/156802611795429167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
African sleeping sickness is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa where the WHO estimates that 60 million people are at risk for the disease. Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is 100% fatal if untreated and the current drug therapies have significant limitations due to toxicity and difficult treatment regimes. No new chemical agents have been approved since eflornithine in 1990. The pentamidine analog DB289, which was in late stage clinical trials for the treatment of early stage HAT recently failed due to toxicity issues. A new protocol for the treatment of late-stage T. brucei gambiense that uses combination nifurtomox/eflornithine (NECT) was recently shown to have better safety and efficacy than eflornithine alone, while being easier to administer. This breakthrough represents the only new therapy for HAT since the approval of eflornithine. A number of research programs are on going to exploit the unusual biochemical pathways in the parasite to identify new targets for target based drug discovery programs. HTS efforts are also underway to discover new chemical entities through whole organism screening approaches. A number of inhibitors with anti-trypanosomal activity have been identified by both approaches, but none of the programs are yet at the stage of identifying a preclinical candidate. This dire situation underscores the need for continued effort to identify new chemical agents for the treatment of HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert T. Jacobs
- SCYNEXIS, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2878
| | - Bakela Nare
- SCYNEXIS, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2878
| | - Margaret A. Phillips
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 6001 Forest Park Rd, Dallas, Texas 75390-9041
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Cavalli A, Bolognesi ML. Neglected Tropical Diseases: Multi-Target-Directed Ligands in the Search for Novel Lead Candidates against Trypanosoma and Leishmania. J Med Chem 2009; 52:7339-59. [DOI: 10.1021/jm9004835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cavalli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Morgan RE, Werbovetz KA. Selective lead compounds against kinetoplastid tubulin. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2008; 625:33-47. [PMID: 18365657 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-77570-8_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites are responsible for the potentially fatal diseases leishmaniasis, African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. The current treatments for these diseases are far from ideal and new compounds are needed as antiparasitic drug candidates. Tubulin is the accepted target for treatments against cancer and helminths, suggesting that kinetoplastid tubulin is also a suitable target for antiprotozoal compounds. Selective lead compounds against kinetoplastid tubulin have been identified that could represent a starting point for the development of new drug candidates against these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Morgan
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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Katzenback BA, Plouffe DA, Haddad G, Belosevic M. Administration of recombinant parasite β-tubulin to goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) confers partial protection against challenge infection with Trypanosoma danilewskyi Laveran and Mesnil, 1904. Vet Parasitol 2008; 151:36-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2007] [Revised: 09/23/2007] [Accepted: 09/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Wampande EM, Richard McIntosh J, Lubega GW. Classical ligands interact with native and recombinant tubulin from Onchocerca volvulus with similar rank order of magnitude. Protein Expr Purif 2007; 55:236-45. [PMID: 17662615 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2007.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2006] [Revised: 03/04/2007] [Accepted: 04/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The alpha- and beta-tubulin genes from Onchocerca volvulus were individually expressed for the first time in Escherichia coli (DH5alpha). The recombinant tubulins were purified, renatured and reconstituted into oligomers, probably dimers, which were competent to bind three classical tubulin ligands: mebendazole (MBZ), taxol (TAX) and vinblastine (VBN). A new charcoal-dependent binding assay allowed accurate discrimination between specific and non-specific ligand binding in crude cell extracts. To compare the magnitude of binding of both native and recombinant forms of tubulin, we developed an ELISA assay for estimating the amount of tubulin in soluble protein extracts of O. volvulus. Binding assays were performed; both the maximum binding at saturating ligand concentrations (B(max)) and the equilibrium dissociation constants (K(d)) were determined. The B(max) values of the different ligands were significantly different from one another (P<0.05), but the order of the B(max) and K(d) for each drug were VBN > TAX > MBZ for both native and recombinant tubulin. Indeed, B(max) values for MBZ with native and recombinant tubulins were similar. On average, native tubulin had higher or similar binding capacity (B(max)) but a consistently higher affinity (lower K(d)) than the recombinant tubulin. We conclude that at least some of the recombinant molecules form receptors that are similar to those in native tubulin dimers. These data suggest that recombinant tubulin can be used to develop a molecular screen for novel anti-tubulin ligands to develop into drugs against onchocerciasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eddie M Wampande
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
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Abstract
Trypanosomes are the causative agents of Chagas' disease in Central and South America and sleeping sickness in sub-Saharan Africa. The current chemotherapy of the human trypanosomiases relies on only six drugs, five of which were developed > 30 years ago. In addition, these drugs display undesirable toxic side effects and the emergence of drug-resistant trypanosomes has been reported. Therefore, the development of new drugs in the treatment of Chagas' disease and sleeping sickness is urgently required. This article summarises the recent progress in identifying novel lead compounds for antitrypanosomal chemotherapy. Particular emphasis is placed on those agents showing promising, selective antitrypanosomal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietmar Steverding
- School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 TJ7, UK.
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Dardonville C. Recent advances in antitrypanosomal chemotherapy: patent literature 2002 – 2004. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2005. [DOI: 10.1517/13543776.15.9.1241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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