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Naphthoquine: An Emerging Candidate for Artemisinin Combination Therapy
Brioni R Moore1,2,3,4, Moses Laman2, Sam Salman3
1School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Harry Perkins Medical Research Institute (South), Murdoch, WA, Australia.
Drugs
|April 15, 2016
Summary
Naphthoquine, an antimalarial drug, shows high efficacy when used in combination therapy for malaria. This treatment is safe for most patients but should be avoided in infants and pregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Tropical Medicine
- Drug Development
Background:
- Naphthoquine, a 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial, was synthesized in 1986 and clinically developed in the late 1990s.
- Initially considered for monotherapy, it is now a fixed-dose combination with artemisinin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of naphthoquine-artemisinin combination therapy (ACT).
- To assess its potential as an alternative treatment for malaria.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro and in vivo data.
- Analysis of randomized trials evaluating daily 3-day ACT administration.
- Safety monitoring in over 4000 individuals.
Main Results:
- High cure rates (≥98.4%) observed in randomized trials for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax.
- No significant toxicity documented in over 4000 exposed individuals.
- QT interval prolongation noted, but without cardiac or neurological events.
Conclusions:
- Naphthoquine-artemisinin combination therapy is highly effective and generally safe for uncomplicated malaria.
- Further data is needed for use in infants and pregnant/lactating women.
- It represents a viable alternative treatment option given emerging resistance to other ACTs.
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