An alternative form of melarsoprol in sleeping sickness.
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a major threat to human health throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Almost always fatal if untreated or inadequately treated, a commonly used drug for treating late-stage HAT, and the only drug for late-stage Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, is intravenous melarsoprol, which kills 5% of patients receiving it. Melarsoprol cyclodextrin inclusion complexes have been tested in a highly reliable mouse model of HAT. These complexes increase the oral bioavailability of melarsoprol making them effective orally and both curative and nontoxic in doses that are equivalent to those of intravenous melarsoprol. It is argued that a small clinical trial of this drug in HAT is justified to potentially improve the outcome of patients with late-stage rhodesiense disease.
Department of Neurology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF, Scotland, UK. Peter.Kennedy@glasgow.ac.uk
Peter G E
PG
Kennedy
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008549:Melarsoprol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D051379:Mice; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014347:Trypanosoma brucei gambiense; D016833:Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000188:drug therapy
D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; D008549:Melarsoprol