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Antimalarial Agents as Therapeutic Tools Against Toxoplasmosis-A Short Bridge between Two Distant Illnesses
Alina Secrieru1,2,3, Inês C C Costa1,2, Paul M O'Neill3
1Center of Marine Sciences, CCMAR, Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, UAlg, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
Abstract:
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease with paramount impact worldwide, affecting many vulnerable populations and representing a significant matter of concern. Current therapies used against toxoplasmosis are based essentially on old chemotypes, which fail in providing a definitive cure for the disease, placing the most sensitive populations at risk for irreversible damage in vital organs, culminating in death in the most serious cases. Antimalarial drugs have been shown to possess key features for drug repurposing, finding application in the treatment of other parasite-borne illnesses, including toxoplasmosis. Antimalarials provide the most effective therapeutic solutions against toxoplasmosis and make up for the majority of currently available antitoxoplasmic drugs. Additionally, other antiplasmodial drugs have been scrutinized and many promising candidates have emanated in recent developments. Available data demonstrate that it is worthwhile to explore the activity of classical and most recent antimalarial chemotypes, such as quinolines, endoperoxides, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, and nature-derived peptide-based parasiticidal agents, in the context of toxoplasmosis chemotherapy, in the quest for encountering more effective and safer tools for toxoplasmosis control or eradication.
Insights
Current toxoplasmosis treatments are insufficient. Repurposing antimalarial drugs offers promising, effective therapeutic solutions for this widespread infectious disease, potentially leading to better control and eradication.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Toxoplasmosis poses a significant global health concern, particularly for vulnerable populations.
- Existing therapies for toxoplasmosis are based on old drug classes and are often ineffective, leading to severe health consequences and mortality.
- Drug repurposing of antimalarials presents a viable strategy to address the limitations of current toxoplasmosis treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of antimalarial drugs for treating toxoplasmosis.
- To explore novel and existing antimalarial chemotypes as antitoxoplasmic agents.
- To identify more effective and safer therapeutic options for toxoplasmosis control.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antimalarial drug repurposing for toxoplasmosis.
- Analysis of the efficacy of various antimalarial chemotypes against *Toxoplasma gondii*.
- Identification of promising drug candidates from classical and recent antimalarial developments.
Main Results:
- Antimalarial drugs are the most effective current treatments for toxoplasmosis.
- Several promising antiplasmodial drug candidates have emerged from recent research.
- Classical and novel antimalarial classes, including quinolines and endoperoxides, show potential.
Conclusions:
- Antimalarial drug repurposing is a promising avenue for developing improved toxoplasmosis therapies.
- Exploring diverse antimalarial chemotypes, such as quinolines, endoperoxides, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, and peptide-based agents, is warranted.
- Further research into these agents could lead to more effective and safer treatments for toxoplasmosis eradication.
