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Published on: November 5, 2021
Nanomedicines against Chagas disease: an update on therapeutics, prophylaxis and diagnosis
Maria Jose Morilla1, Eder Lilia Romero
1Programa de Nanomedicinas, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Saenz Peña 352, Bernal B1876BXD, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Insights
Nanomedicine offers potential improvements for treating Chagas disease (caused by Trypanosoma cruzi) and its diagnosis. This approach may enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity in chronic cases where current drugs fail.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology and Tropical Diseases
- Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery Systems
- Cardiovascular and Thrombotic Disorders
Background:
- Chagas disease, a neglected parasitic infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, progresses from an asymptomatic acute phase to a chronic, life-threatening condition.
- Chronic Chagas disease leads to severe complications including heart failure and sudden death.
- Current antichagasic treatments are primarily effective during the acute phase and exhibit significant toxicity in adults, failing to eradicate chronic intracellular parasites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of nanomedicine to enhance the efficacy and safety of Chagas disease therapeutics.
- To explore nanomedical applications for improved diagnosis and vaccine development for Chagas disease.
- To address the limitations of conventional treatments for chronic Chagas disease in adults.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing preclinical data on nanomedicine applications in Chagas disease.
- Discussion of nanomedical strategies for improving drug delivery, vaccine platforms, and diagnostic tools.
- Analysis of the potential for nanomedicines to overcome challenges associated with Trypanosoma cruzi eradication.
Main Results:
- Nanomedicines show promise in potentially improving the performance of Chagas disease therapeutics.
- The review highlights the need for further preclinical data to validate nanomedical approaches.
- Nanotechnology may offer novel solutions for diagnosis and vaccine development against Chagas disease.
Conclusions:
- Nanomedicine presents a promising avenue for advancing Chagas disease treatment, particularly for chronic infections.
- Further research is essential to translate nanomedical innovations into effective clinical strategies for Chagas disease.
- Nanomedical approaches could significantly improve patient outcomes by enhancing therapeutic delivery and diagnostic capabilities.
Abstract:
Chagas disease is a neglected parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. After a mostly clinically silent acute phase, the disease becomes a lifelong chronic condition that can lead to chronic heart failure and thromboembolic phenomena followed by sudden death. Antichagasic treatment is only effective in the acute phase but fails to eradicate the intracellular form of parasites and causes severe toxicity in adults. Although conventional oral benznidazol is not a safe and efficient drug to cure chronic adult patients, current preclinical data is insufficient to envisage if conventional antichagasic treatment could be realistically improved by a nanomedical approach. This review will discuss how nanomedicines could help to improve the performance of therapeutics, vaccines and diagnosis of Chagas disease.
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