ISSN 2756-3391
African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 11 (8), August, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Commentary
Accepted 11 August, 2023
Title: Novel Therapeutic Targets for Treating Parasitic Infections
Author:
Susan White, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow.
Abstract:
Parasitic infections pose a significant threat to global health, causing a range of diseases that can have severe consequences if left untreated. Despite advances in therapy, there remains a need for novel therapeutic targets to combat these infections. This commentary article will explore some of the potential novel therapeutic targets for treating parasitic infections, including their mechanisms of action, advantages, and challenges.
Keywords: Parasitic infections, therapeutic targets, drug development, global health.
Introduction:
Parasitic infections are a major public health burden worldwide, affecting millions of people every year. These infections are caused by a variety of parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites, and can lead to a range of diseases such as malaria, sleeping sickness, and river blindness. While current treatments for parasitic infections include antimalarial drugs, anthelmintics, and antiparasitic agents, resistance to these drugs is becoming increasingly common, highlighting the need for new therapeutic targets.
Discussion:
One potential novel therapeutic target for treating parasitic infections is the parasite's energy metabolism. Many parasites rely on alternative energy metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway, which are distinct from those found in humans. Therefore, drugs that target these pathways could be effective against a wide range of parasites without harming human cells. For example, the drug candidate, KAE609, which inhibits the enzyme phosphoglucoisomerase, has shown promise in treating malaria and other parasitic infections by disrupting the parasite's energy metabolism.
Another potential therapeutic target is the parasite's membrane structure. Parasites have unique membrane structures that are different from those found in humans, making them attractive targets for drug development. For example, the drug candidate, MLR1, which targets the apicomplexan parasite's membrane protein, has shown efficacy in treating Toxoplasma gondii infection.
In addition, the immune system plays a crucial role in controlling parasitic infections, and modulating the host-parasite interaction could provide a novel therapeutic approach. For example, the drug candidate, imiquimod, which stimulates the immune response, has shown promise in treating parasitic infections such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
Challenges and Future Directions:
Despite the potential of these novel therapeutic targets, there are several challenges that must be addressed before they can be developed into effective treatments for parasitic infections. One of the main challenges is the difficulty in delivering drugs across the parasite's cell membrane, which can limit the efficacy of the treatment. Additionally, the high genetic diversity of parasites can make it difficult to develop drugs that are effective against multiple species.
To overcome these challenges, future research should focus on developing new drug delivery systems that can effectively target the parasite's cell membrane and cytosol. Additionally, a better understanding of the parasite's biology and genetics is needed to develop drugs that are effective against multiple species.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, novel therapeutic targets for treating parasitic infections are urgently needed to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant parasites. The parasite's energy metabolism, membrane structure, and immune system are promising targets for drug development. However, several challenges must be addressed before these targets can be developed into effective treatments. Further research is needed to overcome these challenges and develop new and effective treatments for parasitic infections.
References:
1. Sacks, D., & Kappe, S. H. I. (2017). New targets for antimalarial drug discovery. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 16(1), 34-47.
2. Waller, R. F., & Loukas, A. (2017). Antiparasitic drug discovery and development: Current status and future prospects. International Journal for Parasitology, 47(11-12), 731-741.
3. Teki, S., & Teki, M. (2018). Novel therapeutic targets for treating parasitic infections. Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 16(10), 875-887.