title: Alkylphospholipids - a promising class of chemotherapeutic agents with a broad pharmacological spectrum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since when alkylphospholipds (ALPs) were discovered and, even further after miltefosine's approval for the treatment of cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer and leishmaniasis, their activity against many other diseases have been extensively studied. This review aims to provide a summary of the alkylphospholipids' applications investigated so far.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mechanism of action of ALPs is not fully understood, however it is believed that they interfere with lipid homeostasis leading to cell apoptosis. Due to ALPs cytotoxic activity, this class of molecules has shown to be effective against many diseases and conditions. Besides the approval of miltefosine for application in cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer and visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, several other analogs have proved efficacy and are promising as less toxic alternatives. ALPs have also shown in vitro and in vivo activity against Trypanosoma spp., amoebae, Tricomonas vaginalis, Schistosoma mansoni, HIV, and some fungi and bacteria species. The use of ALPs for intraocular lens coating is also under investigation. In addition, a clinical trial comparing miltefosine with usual treatments to spontaneous urticaria is also being conducted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alkylphospholipids present such a broad pharmacological spectrum that justifies the need for further investigations of the drug class mechanisms of action, as well as the search for new analogs with improved activity and toxicological profiles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, Bl.13, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana de Almeida
authors.initials: Jde A
authors.lastname: Pachioni
authors.forename: Juliana Gallottini
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.forename: Elys Juliane Cardoso
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Luciana de Moura
authors.initials: Lde M
authors.lastname: Bueno
authors.forename: Joyce Ferreira
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Matheus Malta
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: de Sá
authors.forename: Carlota Oliveira
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Rangel-Yagui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010743:Phospholipids; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds