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Dos Santos GP, Coelho AC, Reimao JQ. The latest progress in assay development in leishmaniasis drug discovery: a review of the available papers on PubMed from the past year. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2025. [PMID: 39760656 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2025.2450787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2024] [Revised: 12/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2025] [Indexed: 01/07/2025]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis is a significant neglected tropical disease with limited treatment options that urgently requires ongoing efforts in drug discovery. Recent advances have focused on the development of new assays and methods to identify effective therapeutic candidates. AREAS COVERED This review explores recent trends and methodologies in leishmaniasis drug discovery, with a particular focus on in silico and in vitro studies, as well as in vivo validation, using animal models. A detailed analysis of recent studies was provided, discussing the methodologies employed, such as manual and automated parasite quantification, and the use of fluorescence and luminescence-based techniques. Additionally, global research trends were analyzed, highlighting the leading countries in scientific output and the collaborative efforts driving advancements in this field. EXPERT OPINION The field of leishmaniasis drug discovery has rapidly progressed in the last years, but the lack of standardized methodologies and limited in vivo validation remain significant hurdles. To advance promising treatments to clinical trials, cross-validation of preclinical findings and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential. Increased funding and global partnerships are also crucial to accelerate the discovery and development of alternative and effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela P Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Preclinical Assays and Research of Alternative Sources of Innovative Therapy for Toxoplasmosis and Other Sicknesses (PARASITTOS), Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí, Brazil
| | - Adriano C Coelho
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Juliana Q Reimao
- Laboratory of Preclinical Assays and Research of Alternative Sources of Innovative Therapy for Toxoplasmosis and Other Sicknesses (PARASITTOS), Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí, Brazil
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Sundar S, Singh VK, Agrawal N, Singh OP, Kumar R. Investigational new drugs for the treatment of leishmaniasis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:1029-1046. [PMID: 39225742 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2400139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the past 20 years, significant progress has been made in anti-leishmanial therapy. Three new drugs/formulations are available for the treatment of various forms of leishmaniasis, namely oral miltefosine, paromomycin and liposomal amphotericin B. However, these advances in drug development have added considerable complexity for clinicians including toxicity, emergence of resistance and decreased sensitivity of available drugs. The development of newer drugs with less toxicity and more efficacy is urgently needed. AREAS COVERED This review comprehensively examines the latest developments and current status of antileishmanial drugs for the treatment of leishmaniasis across the world. Several new investigational drugs that showed anti-leishmanial activity under in vitro or in vivo conditions and either underwent the phase-I/II clinical trials or are on the verge of entering the trials were reviewed. We also delve into the challenges of drug resistance and discuss the emergence of new and effective antileishmanial compounds. EXPERT OPINION The available treatments for leishmaniasis are limited in number, toxic, expensive, and demand extensive healthcare resources. Every available antileishmanial drug is associated with several disadvantages, such as drug resistance and toxicity or high cost. Miltefosine is potentially teratogenic. New antileishmanial drugs/treatment modalities are sorely needed for expanding future treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Vishal Kumar Singh
- Centre of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Neha Agrawal
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Om Prakash Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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Suckow MA, Bolton ID, McDowell MA. Overview and Approaches for Handling of Animal Models of Leishmaniasis. Comp Med 2024; 74:148-155. [PMID: 39107941 PMCID: PMC11267445 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-24-029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a disease of global relevance, results from infection with the protozoan parasite, Leishmania, which is transmitted to susceptible hosts through the bite of sand flies. Multiple forms of leishmaniasis may occur, including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral. Research with animal models remains an important approach to help define basic pathophysi- ologic processes associated with infection and disease. In this regard, mice and hamsters represent the most commonly used models. The severity of leishmaniasis in animal models depends on several factors, including genotype of the host and parasite and the dose and route of administration of the parasite to the host, and severity of outcome may range from subclinical to severe illness. This review provides basic background on leishmaniasis, relevant animal models, the pathophysiology and clinical signs in animals used as models of leishmaniasis, and general approaches to mitigate risk to personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Suckow
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Iris D Bolton
- Freimann Life Science Center, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana; and
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
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Cruz MGFDML, Santi AMM, de Morais-Teixeira E, Caldeira ASP, de Siqueira EP, Oliveira E, Alves TMDA, Murta SMF. Anti- Leishmania compounds can be screened using Leishmania spp. expressing red fluorescence ( tdTomato). Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0050923. [PMID: 38063403 PMCID: PMC10777850 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00509-23] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The main challenges associated with leishmaniasis chemotherapy are drug toxicity, the possible emergence of resistant parasites, and a limited choice of therapeutic agents. Therefore, new drugs and assays to screen and detect novel active compounds against leishmaniasis are urgently needed. We thus validated Leishmania braziliensis (Lb) and Leishmania infantum (Li) that constitutively express the tandem tomato red fluorescent protein (tdTomato) as a model for large-scale screens of anti-Leishmania compounds. Confocal microscopy of Lb and Li::tdTomato revealed red fluorescence distributed throughout the entire parasite, including the flagellum, and flow cytometry confirmed that the parasites emitted intense fluorescence. We evaluated the infectivity of cloned promastigotes and amastigotes constitutively expressing tdTomato, their growth profiles in THP-1 macrophages, and susceptibility to trivalent antimony, amphotericin, and miltefosine in vitro. The phenotypes of mutant and wild-type parasites were similar, indicating that the constitutive expression of tdTomato did not interfere with the evaluated parameters. We applied our validated model to a repositioning strategy and assessed the susceptibility of the parasites to eight commercially available drugs. We also screened 32 natural plant and fungal extracts and 10 pure substances to reveal new active compounds. The infectivity and Glucantime treatment efficacy of BALB/c mice and golden hamsters infected with Lb and Li::tdTomato mutant lines, respectively, were very similar compared to animals infected with wild-type parasites. Standardizing our methodology would offer more rapid, less expensive, and easier assays to screen of compounds against L. braziliensis and L. infantum in vitro and in vivo. Our method could also enhance the discovery of active compounds for treating leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariza Gabriela Faleiro de Moura Lodi Cruz
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Murta Santi
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eliane de Morais-Teixeira
- Pesquisa Clínica e Políticas Públicas em Doenças Infecto-Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alisson Samuel Portes Caldeira
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ezequias Pessoa de Siqueira
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Edward Oliveira
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tânia Maria de Almeida Alves
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Mor B, Görmez A, Demirci B. Immunopathological investigation of a gerbil model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Acta Trop 2023; 246:106991. [PMID: 37479161 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania species (intracellular protozoans), is a chronic, systemic disease that causes skin (cutaneous) and internal organ infections (visceral). Its prevalence has increased in recent years. Leishmania species are considered important pathogens that affect public health. After infecting an individual, the pathogen disrupts the immune system, but, there are not enough studies on which immune mechanisms are affected. The aim of this study was to establish a Leishmania major infection model (the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis) in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and to investigate the immune response in this model by examining the expression of important inflammatory genes (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-ɣ and TNF-α). The presence of parasites was confirmed by microscopic examination of samples taken from the lesions and culture studies. The expression of inflammatory cytokine genes was significantly increased in infected gerbils. The changes indicated that both the Th1 and Th2 pathways are activated in cutaneous leishmaniasis infection. Hence, different immunopathological mechanisms should be evaluated in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baycan Mor
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kafkas University, 36100, Kars, Türkiye.
| | - Arzu Görmez
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylul University, 35390, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Berna Demirci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kafkas University, 36100, Kars, Türkiye
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Kousholt BS, Præstegaard KF, Stone JC, Thomsen AF, Johansen TT, Ritskes-Hoitinga M, Wegener G. Reporting of 3Rs Approaches in Preclinical Animal Experimental Studies-A Nationwide Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3005. [PMID: 37835611 PMCID: PMC10571812 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The 3Rs aim to refine animal welfare, reduce animal numbers, and replace animal experiments. Investigations disclose that researchers are positive towards 3Rs recommendations from peers. Communication of 3Rs approaches via primary preclinical animal experimental literature may become a fast-forward extension to learn relevant 3Rs approaches if such are reported. This study investigates 3Rs-reporting in peer-reviewed preclinical animal research with at least one author affiliated to a Danish university. Using a systematic search and random sampling, we included 500 studies from 2009 and 2018. Reporting was low and improvement over time limited. A word search for 3R retrieved zero results in 2009 and 3.2% in 2018. Reporting on 3Rs-related sentences increased from 6.4% in 2009 to 18.4% in 2018, "reduction" increased from 2.4% to 8.0%, and "refinement" from 5.2% to 14.4%. Replacement was not reported. Reporting of the methodology was missing. For "reduction", methodology was mentioned in one study in 2009 and 11 studies in 2018, and for "refinement" in 9 and 21, respectively. Twenty-one studies stated compliance with ARRIVE-guidelines or similar without disclosure of details. Reporting of 3Rs approaches in preclinical publications is currently insufficient to guide researchers. Other strategies, e.g., education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and 3Rs funding initiatives, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte S. Kousholt
- Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (K.F.P.); (A.F.T.); (T.T.J.); (M.R.-H.); (G.W.)
| | - Kirstine F. Præstegaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (K.F.P.); (A.F.T.); (T.T.J.); (M.R.-H.); (G.W.)
| | - Jennifer C. Stone
- JBI, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Anders F. Thomsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (K.F.P.); (A.F.T.); (T.T.J.); (M.R.-H.); (G.W.)
| | - Thea T. Johansen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (K.F.P.); (A.F.T.); (T.T.J.); (M.R.-H.); (G.W.)
| | - Merel Ritskes-Hoitinga
- Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (K.F.P.); (A.F.T.); (T.T.J.); (M.R.-H.); (G.W.)
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (K.F.P.); (A.F.T.); (T.T.J.); (M.R.-H.); (G.W.)
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
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