title: Drug discovery for neglected diseases: molecular target-based and phenotypic approaches.
abstract: Drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases is carried out using both target-based and phenotypic approaches. In this paper, target-based approaches are discussed, with a particular focus on human African trypanosomiasis. Target-based drug discovery can be successful, but careful selection of targets is required. There are still very few fully validated drug targets in neglected diseases, and there is a high attrition rate in target-based drug discovery for these diseases. Phenotypic screening is a powerful method in both neglected and non-neglected diseases and has been very successfully used. Identification of molecular targets from phenotypic approaches can be a way to identify potential new drug targets.
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K.
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010641:Phenotype; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; D000217:Acyltransferases; C050480:glycylpeptide N-tetradecanoyltransferase