Schistosomiasis therapeutics: whats in the pipeline?
Schistosomiasis is a debilitating neglected tropical disease caused by schistosome worms. Global efforts to control schistosomiasis rely predominantly on mass drug administration of the drug praziquantel to populations at risk of infection. We review the history of schistosome drug development and the current position of schistosome drug research. We conclude that with no additional candidates currently in the anti-schistosome drug clinical trial pipeline, a practical and necessary approach is to optimise the health benefits from praziquantel. We offer suggestions of where and how this can be achieved. We also highlight knowledge gaps in the utility of praziquantel particularly in the treatment of chronic schistosomiasis, which includes fibrosis, organomegaly and cervical lesions associated with female genital schistosomiasis.
a Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK.|b The School of Life Sciences , University of Glasgow , Glasgow , UK.
Santiago
S
Trainor-Moss
a Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK.
Francisca
F
Mutapi
D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000187:drug effects; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014329:Tropical Climate
D012556:Schistosomicides; D011223:Praziquantel
Schistosoma; antimony potassium tartrate; artesunate; metrifonate; mirazid; oxamniquine; pediatric formulation; praziquantel; schistosomiasis; therapeutics