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Therapeutic switching in leishmania chemotherapy: a distinct approach towards unsatisfied treatment needs

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Abstract

Current drugs for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis are inadequate. No novel compound is in the pipeline. Since economic returns on developing a new drug for neglected disease, leishmaniasis is so low that therapeutic switching represents the only realistic strategy. It refers to “alternative drug use” discoveries which differ from the original intent of the drug. Amphotericin B, paromomycin, miltefosine and many other drugs are very successful examples of “new drugs from old”. This article reviews the discovery, growth and current status of these drugs and concluded that the potential of this approach (therapeutic switching) may use in the development of new antileishmanials in future also.

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  1. Division of Parasitology, Central Drug Research Institute, Chattar Manzil Palace, M.G. Road, Lucknow, 226001, UP, India

    Nishi Shakya & Suman Gupta

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Integral University, Kursi Road, Dasuali, Lucknow, 201126, UP, India

    Preeti Bajpai

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  1. Nishi Shakya
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Shakya, N., Bajpai, P. & Gupta, S. Therapeutic switching in leishmania chemotherapy: a distinct approach towards unsatisfied treatment needs. J Parasit Dis 35, 104–112 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-011-0040-9

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