Antiprotozoal activities of phospholipid analogues.
The antiprotozoal activity of phospholipid analogues, originally developed as anti-cancer drugs, has been determined in the past decade. The most susceptible parasites are Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi with activity also shown against Trypanosoma brucei spp., Entamoeba histolytica and Acanthamoeba spp. Miltefosine, an alkylphosphocholine, was registered for the oral treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in India in March 2002. This review will focus on the biological activities of phospholipid analogues. Biochemical and molecular targets and mechanism(s) of action have been studied extensively in tumor cells but have not been determined in protozoa.
Croft
Simon L
SL
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK. simon.croft@lshtm.ac.uk
Seifert
Karin
K
Duchêne
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007891:Leishmania / Q000187:drug effects; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000187:drug effects
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers; D010743:Phospholipids; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C026659:edelfosine; C039128:miltefosine; C043297:ilmofosine