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Repurposing of existing therapeutics to combat drug-resistant malaria. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 136:111275. [PMID: 33485067 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of drug repurposing, speedy discovery of new therapeutic options for the drug-resistant malaria is the best available tactic to reduce the financial load and time in the drug discovery process. Six anticancer drugs, three immunomodulators and four antibiotics were selected for the repositioning against experimental malaria owing to their mode of action and published literature. The efficacy of existing therapeutics was evaluated against chloroquine-resistant in vitro and in vivo strains of Plasmodium falciparum and P. yoelii, respectively. All the pre-existing FDA-approved drugs along with leptin were primarily screened against chloroquine-resistant (PfK1) and drug-sensitive (Pf3D7) strains of P. falciparum using SYBR green-based antiplasmodial assay. Cytotoxic profiling of these therapeutics was achieved on Vero and HepG2 cell lines, and human erythrocytes. Percent blood parasitemia and host survival was determined in chloroquine-resistant P. yoelii N67-infected Swiss mice using appropriate doses of these drugs/immunomodulators. Antimalarial screening together with cytotoxicity data revealed that anticancer drugs, idelalisib and 5-fluorouracil acquired superiority over their counterparts, regorafenib, and tamoxifen, respectively. ROS-inducer anticancer drugs, epirubicin and bleomycin were found toxic for the host. Immunomodulators (imiquimod, lenalidomide and leptin) were safest but less active in in vitro system, however, in P. yoelii-infected mice, they exhibited modest parasite suppression at their respective doses. Among antibiotics, moxifloxacin exhibited better antimalarial prospective than levofloxacin, roxithromycin and erythromycin. 5-Fluorouracil, imiquimod and moxifloxacin displayed 97.64, 81.18 and 91.77 % parasite inhibition in treated animals and attained superiority in their respective groups thus could be exploited further in combination with suitable antimalarials.
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Multistage and transmission-blocking targeted antimalarials discovered from the open-source MMV Pandemic Response Box. Nat Commun 2021; 12:269. [PMID: 33431834 PMCID: PMC7801607 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20629-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical matter is needed to target the divergent biology associated with the different life cycle stages of Plasmodium. Here, we report the parallel de novo screening of the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Pandemic Response Box against Plasmodium asexual and liver stage parasites, stage IV/V gametocytes, gametes, oocysts and as endectocides. Unique chemotypes were identified with both multistage activity or stage-specific activity, including structurally diverse gametocyte-targeted compounds with potent transmission-blocking activity, such as the JmjC inhibitor ML324 and the antitubercular clinical candidate SQ109. Mechanistic investigations prove that ML324 prevents histone demethylation, resulting in aberrant gene expression and death in gametocytes. Moreover, the selection of parasites resistant to SQ109 implicates the druggable V-type H+-ATPase for the reduced sensitivity. Our data therefore provides an expansive dataset of compounds that could be redirected for antimalarial development and also point towards proteins that can be targeted in multiple parasite life cycle stages. Here, Reader et al. screen the Medicines for Malaria Venture Pandemic Response Box in parallel against Plasmodiumasexual and liver stage parasites, stage IV/V gametocytes, gametes, oocysts and as endectocides. They identify two potent transmission-blocking drugs: a histone demethylase inhibitor ML324 and the antitubercular SQ109.
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Basova S, Wilke N, Koch JC, Prokop A, Berkessel A, Pradel G, Ngwa CJ. Organoarsenic Compounds with In Vitro Activity against the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8080260. [PMID: 32748808 PMCID: PMC7459655 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8080260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of parasite drug resistance as well as the lack of medications targeting both the asexual and the sexual blood stages of the malaria parasite necessitate the search for novel antimalarial compounds. Eleven organoarsenic compounds were synthesized and tested for their effect on the asexual blood stages and sexual transmission stages of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum using in vitro assays. The inhibitory potential of the compounds on blood stage viability was tested on the chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive 3D7 and the CQ-resistant Dd2 strain using the Malstat assay. The most effective compounds were subsequently investigated for their effect on impairing gametocyte development and gametogenesis, using the gametocyte-producing NF54 strain in respective cell-based assays. Their potential toxicity was investigated on leukemia cell line Nalm-6 and non-infected erythrocytes. Five out of the 11 compounds showed antiplasmodial activities against 3D7, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging between 1.52 and 8.64 µM. Three of the compounds also acted against Dd2, with the most active compound As-8 exhibiting an IC50 of 0.35 µM. The five compounds also showed significant inhibitory effects on the parasite sexual stages at both IC50 and IC90 concentrations with As-8 displaying the best gametocytocidal activity. No hemolytic and cytotoxic effect was observed for any of the compounds. The organoarsenic compound As-8 may represent a good lead for the design of novel organoarsenic drugs with combined antimalarial and transmission blocking activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Basova
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.B.); (G.P.)
| | - Nathalie Wilke
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital Cologne, Amsterdamer Straße 59, 50735 Cologne, Germany; (N.W.); (A.P.)
| | - Jan Christoph Koch
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstraße 4, 50939 Cologne, Germany; (J.C.K.); (A.B.)
| | - Aram Prokop
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital Cologne, Amsterdamer Straße 59, 50735 Cologne, Germany; (N.W.); (A.P.)
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Helios Hospital Schwerin, Wismarsche Strasse 393-397, 19049 Schwerin, Germany
| | - Albrecht Berkessel
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstraße 4, 50939 Cologne, Germany; (J.C.K.); (A.B.)
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.B.); (G.P.)
| | - Che Julius Ngwa
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.B.); (G.P.)
- Correspondence:
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Ekemen S, Uzay A, Bassullu N, Dikicioglu-Cetin E, Matsuda K, Ince U, Coban C. Does it take three to tango? An unsuspected multimorbidity of CD8 + T cell lymphoproliferative disorder, malaria, and EBV infection. Malar J 2018; 17:349. [PMID: 30290813 PMCID: PMC6173833 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2497-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is known to cause acute and deadly complications. However, malaria can cause unforeseen pathologies due to its chronicity. It increases the risk of endemic Burkitt Lymphoma development by inducing DNA damage in germinal centre (GC) B cells, and leading higher frequency of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected cells in GCs. EBV is well known for its tropism for B cells. However, less is known about EBV's interaction with T cells and its association with T cell lymphoma. CASE PRESENTATION A 43-year-old Sudanese male admitted to hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, a non-endemic country, with hyperpigmented painful skin rashes on his whole body. A complete blood count and a peripheral blood smear during admission revealed large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) with abnormally higher CD8 T cell numbers. Additional skin biopsy and pathology results were compatible with CD8+ T cell lymphoproliferative disorder with skin involvement. Patient was treated and discharged. However, a pathologist noticed unusual structures in skin tissue samples. Careful evaluation of skin biopsy samples by polarized microscopy revealed birefringent crystalloid structures resembling malarial haemozoin mainly loaded in macrophages and giant histiocytes. After purification of DNA from the skin biopsy samples, nested PCR was performed for the detection of Plasmodium parasites and Plasmodium falciparum DNA was amplified. Because, the co-presence of EBV infection with malaria is a well-known aetiology of lymphoma, EBV-early RNA (EBER) transcripts were investigated in paraffin-embedded tissue samples and found to be positive in macrophage-like histiocytes. CONCLUSIONS This is a unique case of malaria and EBV infection in a T-LGL lymphoma patient who presented in a non-endemic country. This case emphasizes the clinical importance of EBV monitoring in T-LGL patients with skin involvement. Notably, Plasmodium infection should be examined in patients from malaria endemic regions by pathological and molecular investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suheyla Ekemen
- Acibadem Pathology Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey. .,Laboratory of Malaria Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Ant Uzay
- Department of Internal Medicine, Acibadem University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | | | - Kyoko Matsuda
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Umit Ince
- Acibadem Pathology Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Pathology, Acibadem University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cevayir Coban
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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New Silver Complexes with Mixed Thiazolidine and Phosphine Ligands as Highly Potent Antimalarial and Anticancer Agents. J CHEM-NY 2018. [DOI: 10.1155/2018/8395374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Five silver(I) complexes containing a mixed ligand system of phosphine and thiazolidine were successfully synthesized. The structural information of the complexes was assembled using various spectroscopic techniques such as CHN elemental analysis, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), 1H, 13C, and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A bidentate phosphine ligand acted as a chelating agent which bond to the silver in 1 : 2 molar ratios. Meanwhile, thiazolidine was attached to the silver in a 1 : 1 molar ratio. The antiplasmodial properties of all synthesized complexes were investigated on chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum parasite via HRP2 assays and cytotoxicity tests on Vero cells. Of all the synthesized complexes, complex 2 showed the highest SI value (more than 12.4) followed by complex 5 (6.6). The potent properties of compounds 2 and 5 were also noted in the in vitro antiproliferative assays involving MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines as well as HT-29 colon cancer cell line. Complex 2 was selective for MDA-MB-231 cells (GI50 = 1.9 ± 0.3 µM), while complex 5 acted predominantly on breast carcinoma cells (GI50 MDA-MB-231 = 4.7 ± 1.1 µM; MCF-7 = 2.9 ± 0.9 µM) instead of colon carcinoma (HT-29) cells (GI50 = 15.1 ± 1.9 µM).
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Kundu CN, Das S, Nayak A, Satapathy SR, Das D, Siddharth S. Anti-malarials are anti-cancers and vice versa - one arrow two sparrows. Acta Trop 2015; 149:113-27. [PMID: 25963804 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Repurposing is the novel means of drug discovery in modern science due to its affordability, safety and availability. Here, we systematically discussed the efficacy and mode of action of multiple bioactive, synthetic compounds and their potential derivatives which are used to treat/prevent malaria and cancer. We have also discussed the detailed molecular pathway involved in anti-cancer potentiality of an anti-malarial drug and vice versa. Although the causative agents, pathophysiology and manifestation of both the diseases are different but special emphasis has been given on similar pathways governing disease manifestation and the drugs which act through deregulating those pathways. Finally, a future direction has been speculated to combat these two diseases by a single agent developed using nanotechnology. Extended combination and new formulation of existing drugs for one disease may lead to the discovery of drug for other diseases like an arrow for two sparrows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanakya Nath Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, Department of Cancer Biology, KIIT University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India.
| | - Sarita Das
- School of Biotechnology, Department of Cancer Biology, KIIT University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Anmada Nayak
- School of Biotechnology, Department of Cancer Biology, KIIT University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Shakti Ranjan Satapathy
- School of Biotechnology, Department of Cancer Biology, KIIT University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Dipon Das
- School of Biotechnology, Department of Cancer Biology, KIIT University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Sumit Siddharth
- School of Biotechnology, Department of Cancer Biology, KIIT University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
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Eissa MM, Barakat AMA, Amer EI, Younis LK. Could miltefosine be used as a therapy for toxoplasmosis? Exp Parasitol 2015; 157:12-22. [PMID: 26112396 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2014] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoal disease affecting more than a billion people worldwide. The shortfalls of the current treatment options necessitate the development of non-toxic and well-tolerated, efficient alternatives especially against the cyst form. The current study was undertaken to investigate, for the first time, the potential potency of miltefosine against Toxoplasma gondii infection in acute and chronic experimental toxoplasmosis. Results showed that there is no evidence of anti-parasitic activity of miltefosine against T. gondii tachyzoites in acute experimental toxoplasmosis. However, anti-parasitic activity of miltefosine against T. gondii cyst stage in chronic experimental toxoplasmosis could not be excluded as demonstrated by significant reduction in brain cyst burden. Moreover, considerable morphological changes in the cysts were revealed by light and electron microscopy study and also by amelioration of pathological changes in the brain. Future studies should focus on enhancement of anti-toxoplasma activity of miltefosine against chronic toxoplasmosis using formulation based nanotechnology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study highlighting efficacy of miltefosine against chronic toxoplasmosis, thus, increasing the list of diseases that can be targeted by this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha M Eissa
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | - Eglal I Amer
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Layla K Younis
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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8
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Evaluation of α,β-unsaturated ketones as antileishmanial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:3598-601. [PMID: 25801571 DOI: 10.1128/aac.04056-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we assessed the antileishmanial activity of 126 α,β-unsaturated ketones. The compounds NC901, NC884, and NC2459 showed high leishmanicidal activity for both the extracellular (50% effective concentration [EC50], 456 nM, 1,122 nM, and 20 nM, respectively) and intracellular (EC50, 1,870 nM, 937 nM, and 625 nM, respectively) forms of Leishmania major propagated in macrophages, with little or no toxicity to mammalian cells. Bioluminescent imaging of parasite replication showed that all three compounds reduced the parasite burden in the murine model, with no apparent toxicity.
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Menendez JA, Quirantes-Piné R, Rodríguez-Gallego E, Cufí S, Corominas-Faja B, Cuyàs E, Bosch-Barrera J, Martin-Castillo B, Segura-Carretero A, Joven J. Oncobiguanides: Paracelsus' law and nonconventional routes for administering diabetobiguanides for cancer treatment. Oncotarget 2015; 5:2344-8. [PMID: 24909934 PMCID: PMC4058009 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
“The dose makes the poison”, the common motto of toxicology first expressed by Paracelsus more than 400 years ago, may effectively serve to guide potential applications for metformin and related biguanides in oncology. While Paracelsus' law for the dose-response effect has been commonly exploited for the use of some anti-cancer drugs at lower doses in non-neoplastic diseases (e.g., methotrexate), the opposite scenario also holds true; in other words, higher doses of non-oncology drugs, such as anti-diabetic biguanides, might exert direct anti-neoplastic effects. Here, we propose that, as for any drug, there is a dose range for biguanides that is without any effect, one corresponding to “diabetobiguanides” with a pharmacological effect (e.g., insulin sensitization in type 2 diabetes, prevention of insulin-dependent carcinogenesis, indirect inhibition of insulin and growth factor-dependent cancer growth) but with minimal toxicity and another corresponding to “oncobiguanides” with pharmacological (i.e., direct and strong anticancer activity against cancer cells) as well as toxic effects. Considering that biguanides demonstrate a better safety profile than most oncology drugs in current use, we should contemplate the possibility of administering biguanides through non-conventional routes (e.g., inhaled for carcinomas of the lung, topical for skin cancers, intravenous as an adjunctive therapy, rectal suppositories for rectal cancer) to unambiguously investigate the therapeutic value of high-dose transient biguanide exposure in cancer. Perhaps then, the oncobiguanides, as we call them here, could be viewed as a mechanistically different type of anti-cancer drugs employed at doses notably higher than those used chronically when functioning as diabetobiguanides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A Menendez
- Metabolism and Cancer Group, Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
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Dorosti Z, Yousefi M, Sharafi SM, Darani HY. Mutual action of anticancer and antiparasitic drugs: are there any shared targets? Future Oncol 2014; 10:2529-39. [DOI: 10.2217/fon.14.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Parasites and cancers have some common features. It has been shown that some parasites interfere with tumor growth. In addition, they both have common antigens such as the Tn antigen. A communal action of anticancer and antiparasitic drugs has been reported. This shared action may be related to common targets for these drugs in cancers and parasites. In this paper, mutual action of anticancer and antiparasitic drugs, with the aim of discussing shared targets of these drugs, has been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Dorosti
- Department of Parasitology & Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Morteza Yousefi
- Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Maryam Sharafi
- Infectious Diseases & Tropical medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Yousofi Darani
- Cancer Prevention Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Lotharius J, Gamo-Benito FJ, Angulo-Barturen I, Clark J, Connelly M, Ferrer-Bazaga S, Parkinson T, Viswanath P, Bandodkar B, Rautela N, Bharath S, Duffy S, Avery VM, Möhrle JJ, Guy RK, Wells T. Repositioning: the fast track to new anti-malarial medicines? Malar J 2014; 13:143. [PMID: 24731288 PMCID: PMC4021201 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repositioning of existing drugs has been suggested as a fast track for developing new anti-malarial agents. The compound libraries of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Pfizer and AstraZeneca (AZ) comprising drugs that have undergone clinical studies in other therapeutic areas, but not achieved approval, and a set of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and other bio-actives were tested against Plasmodium falciparum blood stages. METHODS Molecules were tested initially against erythrocytic co-cultures of P. falciparum to measure proliferation inhibition using one of the following methods: SYBR®I dye DNA staining assay (3D7, K1 or NF54 strains); [(3)H] hypoxanthine radioisotope incorporation assay (3D7 and 3D7A strain); or 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) DNA imaging assay (3D7 and Dd2 strains). After review of the available clinical pharmacokinetic and safety data, selected compounds with low μM activity and a suitable clinical profile were tested in vivo either in a Plasmodium berghei four-day test or in the P. falciparum Pf3D7(0087/N9) huSCID 'humanized' mouse model. RESULTS Of the compounds included in the GSK and Pfizer sets, 3.8% (9/238) had relevant in vitro anti-malarial activity while 6/100 compounds from the AZ candidate drug library were active. In comparison, around 0.6% (24/3,800) of the FDA-approved drugs and other bio-actives were active. After evaluation of available clinical data, four investigational drugs, active in vitro were tested in the P. falciparum humanized mouse model: UK-112,214 (PAF-H1 inhibitor), CEP-701 (protein kinase inhibitor), CEP-1347 (protein kinase inhibitor), and PSC-833 (p-glycoprotein inhibitor). Only UK-112,214 showed significant efficacy against P. falciparum in vivo, although at high doses (ED90 131.3 mg/kg [95% CI 112.3, 156.7]), and parasitaemia was still present 96 hours after treatment commencement. Of the six actives from the AZ library, two compounds (AZ-1 and AZ-3) were marginally efficacious in vivo in a P. berghei model. CONCLUSIONS Repositioning of existing therapeutics in malaria is an attractive proposal. Compounds active in vitro at μM concentrations were identified. However, therapeutic concentrations may not be effectively achieved in mice or humans because of poor bio-availability and/or safety concerns. Stringent safety requirements for anti-malarial drugs, given their widespread use in children, make this a challenging area in which to reposition therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lotharius
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), PO Box 1826, 20 rte de Pré-Bois, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | | | - Iñigo Angulo-Barturen
- Diseases of the Developing World Medicines Development Campus, GlaxoSmithKline, Madrid, Tres Cantos, Spain
| | - Julie Clark
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michele Connelly
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Santiago Ferrer-Bazaga
- Diseases of the Developing World Medicines Development Campus, GlaxoSmithKline, Madrid, Tres Cantos, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Nikhil Rautela
- AstraZeneca India Pvt Ltd, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bangalore, India
| | - Sowmya Bharath
- AstraZeneca India Pvt Ltd, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bangalore, India
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Jörg J Möhrle
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), PO Box 1826, 20 rte de Pré-Bois, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - R Kiplin Guy
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Timothy Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), PO Box 1826, 20 rte de Pré-Bois, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
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Das U, Singh RS, Alcorn J, Hickman MR, Sciotti RJ, Leed SE, Lee PJ, Roncal N, Dimmock JR. 3,5-Bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones and related N-acyl analogs: A novel cluster of antimalarials targeting the liver stage of Plasmodium falciparum. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:7250-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.09.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Folate metabolism in human malaria parasites—75 years on. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2013; 188:63-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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14
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From a cytotoxic agent to the discovery of a novel antimalarial agent. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:584-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.10.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 10/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Murray V, Campbell HM, Gero AM. Plasmodium falciparum: The potential of the cancer chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin and its analogues as anti-malarials. Exp Parasitol 2012; 132:440-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 09/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Murray V, Campbell HM, Gero AM. Plasmodium falciparum: DNA sequence specificity of cisplatin and cisplatin analogues. Exp Parasitol 2011; 128:396-400. [PMID: 21616072 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2011] [Revised: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we provided evidence that cisplatin is able to form adducts with cellular DNA in Plasmodium falciparum. The DNA sequence specificity of cisplatin adduct formation was determined in trophozoite-enriched P. falciparum cells and this paper represents the first occasion that the sequence specificity of cisplatin DNA damage has been observed in malaria cells. Utilising a sub-telomeric, 692 bp repeat sequence in the P. falciparum genome, we were able to investigate the DNA adducts formed by cisplatin and five analogues. A run of eight consecutive guanines was the most prominent site of DNA damage in the malarial cells. This study suggests that the mechanism of P. falciparum cell death caused by cisplatin involves damage to DNA and hence inhibition of DNA replication and cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Murray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Chilengi R, Juma R, Abdallah AM, Bashraheil M, Lodenyo H, Nyakundi P, Anabwani E, Salim A, Mwambingu G, Wenwa E, Jemutai J, Kipkeu C, Oyoo GO, Muchohi SN, Kokwaro G, Niehues T, Lang T, Nzila A. A phase I trial to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of low-dose methotrexate as an anti-malarial drug in Kenyan adult healthy volunteers. Malar J 2011; 10:63. [PMID: 21410944 PMCID: PMC3072355 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2010] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous investigations indicate that methotrexate, an old anticancer drug, could be used at low doses to treat malaria. A phase I evaluation was conducted to assess the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of this drug in healthy adult male Kenyan volunteers. Methods Twenty five healthy adult volunteers were recruited and admitted to receive a 5 mg dose of methotrexate/day/5 days. Pharmacokinetics blood sampling was carried out at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours following each dose. Nausea, vomiting, oral ulcers and other adverse events were solicited during follow up of 42 days. Results The mean age of participants was 23.9 ± 3.3 years. Adherence to protocol was 100%. No grade 3 solicited adverse events were observed. However, one case of transiently elevated liver enzymes, and one serious adverse event (not related to the product) were reported. The maximum concentration (Cmax) was 160-200 nM and after 6 hours, the effective concentration (Ceff) was <150 nM. Conclusion Low-dose methotraxate had an acceptable safety profile. However, methotrexate blood levels did not reach the desirable Ceff of 250-400-nM required to clear malaria infection in vivo. Further dose finding and safety studies are necessary to confirm suitability of this drug as an anti-malarial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roma Chilengi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, 80108 Kilifi, Kenya
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Quirante J, Dubar F, González A, Lopez C, Cascante M, Cortés R, Forfar I, Pradines B, Biot C. Ferrocene–indole hybrids for cancer and malaria therapy. J Organomet Chem 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jorganchem.2010.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Dissous C, Grevelding CG. Piggy-backing the concept of cancer drugs for schistosomiasis treatment: a tangible perspective? Trends Parasitol 2011; 27:59-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2010] [Revised: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 09/01/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Routh MM, Raut JS, Karuppayil SM. Dual Properties of Anticancer Agents: An Exploratory Study on the in vitro Anti- Candida Properties of Thirty Drugs. Chemotherapy 2011; 57:372-80. [DOI: 10.1159/000330454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Amina K, Giuliana G, Prato M. From control to eradication of malaria: the end of being stuck in second gear? ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1995-7645(10)60101-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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