Toward anthelmintic drug candidates for toxocariasis: Challenges and recent developments

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Drug Discovery
• Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

• Toxocariasis is a prevalent zoonotic parasitic infection shared by humans, dogs, and cats.
• Current treatments for toxocariasis rely on a limited drug arsenal, necessitating novel therapeutic agents, particularly against tissue-dwelling larvae.
• Advancements in understanding the *Toxocara canis* parasite, including its genome, are vital for identifying new drug targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in the discovery of anthelmintic drug candidates for toxocariasis.
• To discuss the potential of novel compounds and formulations in combating *Toxocara* infections.
• To identify challenges and opportunities in developing new treatments for human toxocariasis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent research on anthelmintic drug discovery for toxocariasis.
• Analysis of reported compounds including albendazole analogues, reactive quinone derivatives, and natural products.
• Evaluation of nanoparticles and drug formulations for anti-*Toxocara* activity.

Main Results:

• Several classes of compounds, including albendazole analogues, reactive quinones, and natural products, show promise as anthelmintic agents.
• Nanoparticles and novel formulations are being explored to enhance drug delivery and efficacy.
• In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the potential of these alternatives against *Toxocara* parasites.

Conclusions:

• The scarcity of validated molecular targets and the limited exploration of chemical space are significant hurdles in developing new anti-*Toxocara* agents.
• Continued research and innovation are essential to overcome these bottlenecks and advance the treatment of human toxocariasis.
• Exploring novel compounds and drug delivery systems offers opportunities for more effective toxocariasis therapies.