Application of monoclonal antibodies to measure metabolism of an anti-trypanosomal compound in vitro and in vivo

Unpacking the Pathogen Box-An Open Source Tool for Fighting Neglected Tropical Disease

The Pathogen Box is a 400-strong collection of drug-like compounds, selected for their potential against several of the world's most important neglected tropical diseases, including trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, filariasis, schistosomiasis, dengue virus and trichuriasis, in addition to malaria and tuberculosis. This library represents an ensemble of numerous successful drug discovery programmes from around the globe, aimed at providing a powerful resource to stimulate open source drug discovery for diseases threatening the most vulnerable communities in the world. This review seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature pertaining to the compounds in the Pathogen Box, including structure-activity relationship highlights, mechanisms of action, related compounds with reported activity against different diseases, and, where appropriate, discussion on the known and putative targets of compounds, thereby providing context and increasing the accessibility of the Pathogen Box to the drug discovery community.

Drug discovery and human African trypanosomiasis: a disease less neglected?

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) has been neglected for a long time. The most recent drug to treat this disease, eflornithine, was approved by the US FDA in 2000. Current treatments exhibit numerous problematic side effects and are often ineffective against the debilitating CNS resident stage of the disease. Fortunately, several partnerships and initiatives have been formed over the last 20 years in an effort to eradicate HAT, along with a number of other neglected diseases. This has led to an increasing number of foundations and research institutions that are currently working on the development of new drugs for HAT and tools with which to diagnose and treat patients. New biochemical pathways as therapeutic targets are emerging, accompanied by increasing numbers of new antitrypanosomal compound classes. The future looks promising that this collaborative approach will facilitate eagerly awaited breakthroughs in the treatment of HAT.

Synthesis and antiprotozoal activity of dicationic m-terphenyl and 1,3-dipyridylbenzene derivatives

4,4″-Diamidino-m-terphenyl (1) and 36 analogues were prepared and assayed in vitro against T rypanosoma brucei rhodesiense , Trypanosoma cruzi , Plasmodium falciparum , and Leishmania amazonensis . Twenty-three compounds were highly active against T. b. rhodesiense or P. falciparum. Most noteworthy were amidines 1, 10, and 11 with IC50 of 4 nM against T. b. rhodesiense, and dimethyltetrahydropyrimidinyl analogues 4 and 9 with IC50 values of ≤ 3 nM against P. falciparum. Bis-pyridylimidamide derivative 31 was 25 times more potent than benznidazole against T. cruzi and slightly more potent than amphotericin B against L. amazonensis. Terphenyldiamidine 1 and dipyridylbenzene analogues 23 and 25 each cured 4/4 mice infected with T. b. rhodesiense STIB900 with four daily 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal doses, as well as with single doses of ≤ 10 mg/kg. Derivatives 5 and 28 (prodrugs of 1 and 25) each cured 3/4 mice with four daily 25 mg/kg oral doses.