Chemotherapy of malaria.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Clinical trials validate semi-synthetic artemisinin derivatives and fixed-dose combination therapies for malaria.
• Ongoing development includes novel single agents such as etaquine, pyronaridine, and azithromycin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current and emerging antimalarial drug candidates.
• To highlight new molecular targets and approaches in antimalarial drug development.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical trial evidence for existing and novel antimalarial therapies.
• Assessment of preclinical research in synthetic compounds and natural product chemistry.
• Identification of emerging molecular targets for drug development.

Main Results:

• Established efficacy of artemisinin derivatives and fixed-dose combinations (Malarone, co-artemether, chlorproguanil-dapsone).
• Active development pipeline for single agents including etaquine, pyronaridine, and azithromycin.
• Sustained interest in synthetic endoperoxides, quinoline analogues, and natural products.

Conclusions:

• Dihydrofolate reductase remains a key drug target.
• Phospholipid metabolism presents a novel therapeutic approach.
• Genomic data is expected to yield numerous new drug targets in the next decade.