The Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform (LEAP): strengthening clinical trial capacity in resource-limited countries to deliver new treatments for visceral leishmaniasis.
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease endemic in East Africa where improved patient-adapted treatments are needed. The Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform (LEAP) was created in 2003 to strengthen clinical research capacity, serve as a base for training, and evaluate and facilitate implementation of new treatments. Major infrastructure upgrades and personnel training have been carried out. A short course of Sodium Stibogluconate and Paramomycin (SSG&PM) was evaluated and is now first-line treatment in the region; alternative treatments have also been assessed. LEAP can serve as a successful model of collaboration between different partners and countries when conducting clinical research in endemic countries to international standards.
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, KNH 00202, Nairobi, Kenya Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, KNH 00202, Nairobi, Kenya africa@dndi.org.
Monique
M
Wasunna
Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan.
Ahmed
A
Musa
Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia.
Asrat
A
Hailu
Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan.
Eltahir A G
EA
Khalil
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Joseph
J
Olobo
Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, KNH 00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
Rashid
R
Juma
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva CH1202, Switzerland.
Susan
S
Wells
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva CH1202, Switzerland.
Jorge
J
Alvar
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva CH1202, Switzerland.
Manica
M
Balasegaram
D000351:Africa, Eastern; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000193:education; D057191:Capacity Building; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006801:Humans; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000628:therapy*; D058069:Neglected Diseases; D010303:Paromomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010303:Paromomycin; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate
Capacity building; Clinical trial; East Africa; Kala-azar; LEAP; Leishmaniasis