Miltefosine--discovery of the antileishmanial activity of phospholipid derivatives.
Miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine, Impavidotrade mark), a novel antiprotozoal drug used for the treatment of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, was identified and evaluated independently in the early 1980s as a potential anticancer drug in Germany and as an antileishmanial drug in the UK. Although miltefosine is not the most active compound of its class against Leishmania parasites in vitro, the early demonstration of activity after oral administration in experimental models of visceral leishmaniasis helped to bring this compound to the attention of WHO TDR for further development in a unique collaboration model with the pharmaceutical industry (Zentaris GmbH). Miltefosine is active against most Leishmania species, including those that cause cutaneous disease.
Croft
Simon L
SL
Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), 1 Place St Gervais, CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland. scroft@dndi.org
Engel
Juergen
J
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015195:Drug Design; D005997:Glycerylphosphorylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007891:Leishmania / Q000187:drug effects*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C039128:miltefosine; D005997:Glycerylphosphorylcholine