Nitro drugs for the treatment of trypanosomatid diseases: past, present, and future prospects.
There is an urgent need for new, safer, and effective treatments for the diseases caused by the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania spp. In the search for more effective drugs to treat these 'neglected diseases' researchers have chosen to reassess the therapeutic value of nitroaromatic compounds. Previously avoided in drug discovery programs owing to potential toxicity issues, a nitro drug is now being used successfully as part of a combination therapy for human African trypanosomiasis. We describe here the rehabilitation of nitro drugs for the treatment of trypanosomatid diseases and discuss the future prospects for this compound class.
Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Sir James Black Centre, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. Electronic address: s.z.patterson@dundee.ac.uk.
Stephen
S
Patterson
Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. Electronic address: s.wyllie@dundee.ac.uk.
Susan
S
Wyllie
D000818:Animals; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000639:trends; D056986:Euglenozoa Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014351:Trypanosomatina
D009574:Nitro Compounds; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents
bioactivation; nitroaromatics; nitroreductase; pro-drugs; trypanosomatids