Article
Immunology
Melissa Mairet-Khedim, Rithea Leang, Camille Marmai, Nimol Khim, Saorin Kim, Sopheakvatey Ke, Chhayleang Kauy, Nimol Kloeung, Rotha Eam, Sophy Chy, Brigitte Izac, Denis Mey Bouth, Maria Dorina Bustos, Pascal Ringwald, Frederic Ariey, Benoit Witkowski
Summary: The efficacy of artesunate-amodiaquine for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Cambodia was found to be inadequate due to amodiaquine-resistant P. falciparum. The study identified that amodiaquine resistance was not associated with previously identified molecular markers.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
James S. McCarthy, Azrin N. Abd-Rahman, Katharine A. Collins, Louise Marquart, Paul Griffin, Anne Kummel, Aline Fuchs, Cornelis Winnips, Vishal Mishra, Katalin Csermak-Renner, J. Prakash Jain, Preetam Gandhi
Summary: The new antimalarial compound cipargamin showed antimalarial activity in healthy volunteers infected with blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum, although some subjects experienced serious liver function changes during treatment. Further evaluation of the compound's hepatic safety profile is needed despite the promising antimalarial activity observed.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jui A. Shah
Summary: This commentary reviews the success factors for Thailand to achieve zero malaria, focusing on effective surveillance, and discusses other measures needed to reach the goal on time.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Heather J. Painter, Joanne M. Morrisey, Michael W. Mather, Lindsey M. Orchard, Cuyler Luck, Martin J. Smilkstein, Michael K. Riscoe, Akhil B. Vaidya, Manuel Llinas
Summary: The emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites poses a challenge to global malaria eradication efforts, highlighting the importance of identifying new antimalarial drugs. Studying the molecular mechanism of drug resistance has revealed a novel resistance mechanism that could potentially guide the development of future antimalarial combination therapies.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hossein Torkashvand, S. Ahmad Dehdast, Mehdi Nateghpour, Afsaneh Motevalli Haghi, Ghazaleh Chizari Fard, Taher Elmi, Mohammad Shabani, Fatemeh Tabatabaie
Summary: Malaria infects millions of people annually and drug resistance is a major obstacle to its elimination. Quantum dot-based nanocomposites were developed to increase the antimalarial effect of drugs. The release of drugs was controlled through crosslinking with graphene quantum dot and loading onto it. The prepared nanodrugs showed suitable efficacy against cultured Plasmodium falciparum.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Huong Giang Le, Haung Naw, Jung-Mi Kang, Tuan Cuong Vo, Moe Kyaw Myint, Zaw Than Htun, Jinyoung Lee, Won Gi Yoo, Tong-Soo Kim, Ho-Joon Shin, Byoung-Kuk Na
Summary: This study analyzed the antimalarial drug resistance genes in malaria parasites in the Mandalay region of Myanmar and found substantial levels of mutations conferring antimalarial drug resistance. Continuous monitoring of these mutations is necessary to provide useful information for policymakers.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ilaria D'Agostino, Susi Zara, Simone Carradori, Viviana De Luca, Clemente Capasso, Clemens H. M. Kocken, Anne-Marie Zeeman, Andrea Angeli, Fabrizio Carta, Claudiu T. Supuran
Summary: The hybrid compounds synthesized in this study, which combine the Artesunate core with a sulfonamide moiety, showed high inhibition potency against the protozoan PfCA, while exhibiting low cytotoxic effects on human cells, indicating a wide therapeutic window.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xinyi Wang, Yiwei Xie, Ning Jiang, Jingyi Wang, Hongrui Liang, Dingyuan Liu, Na Yang, Xiaoyu Sang, Ying Feng, Ran Chen, Qijun Chen
Summary: This study developed a targeted drug delivery system for malaria treatment by preparing ferrite nanoparticles with ferromagnetic properties and loading them with artemisinin and heparin. The nanoparticles effectively targeted parasite-infected erythrocytes and interfered with the release of merozoites, enhancing the inhibitory efficacy of the antimalarial drug. Furthermore, the heparin-coated nanoparticles showed stronger blocking capability against malaria compared to free heparin due to multivalent interactions with surface receptors on merozoites.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Erik Koehne, Nina Zander, Miriam Rodi, Jana Held, Wolfgang Hoffmann, Rella Zoleko-Manego, Michael Ramharter, Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma, Peter G. Kremsner, Andrea Kreidenweiss
Summary: The study results indicate that pyronaridine and methylene blue have potential for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Both drugs show certain efficacy against different physiological stages of schistosomes, with the combination drug pyronaridine-artesunate already demonstrating treatment potential in clinical settings.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jyoti Kumari, Vikash Kumar, Ankita Behl, Raj Kumar Sah, Geeta Kumari, Swati Garg, Aashima Gupta, S. Nazar Mohomed Mohaideen, Sadat Shafi, Soumya Pati, Kirandeep Samby, Jeremy Burrows, Narla Mohandas, Shailja Singh
Summary: The study shows that erythritol, a sugar substitute, has potential as a therapeutic intervention against drug-resistant malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Erythritol effectively inhibits parasite growth and development, as well as invasion and egress processes. It also demonstrates inhibitory effects on liver stage and transmission stage parasites. In addition, erythritol has a cytokine-modulating effect and affects ammonia release across the parasite. The findings suggest that erythritol could be a promising lead compound for anti-malarial drugs and can be combined with existing drugs without losing efficacy.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Wei Liu, Chuyi Yu, Miaomiao Wang, Youyou He, Zhongjie Guo, Jin He, Ru Jiang, Qin Xu, Jianming Liang, Shengzheng Wang
Summary: Recently, the antitumor activity of artemisinin and its derivatives has been discovered. This study constructed novel Pt-IV-artesunate complexes to combine the antitumor advantages of artesunate and platinum drugs. The derivatives, especially 10f, exhibited potent in vitro antitumor activities against various cancer cell lines. Compound 10f demonstrated remarkable in vivo antitumor efficacy in a xenograft model, and also showed potent in vivo antimalarial activity. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of Pt(IV)-artesunate complexes as antitumor and antimalarial agents.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Jonathan S. Schultz, Kimberly E. Mace, Kathrine R. Tan
Summary: The increase in international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery period is expected to lead to an increase in imported malaria cases in the US. Prevention, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are crucial in minimizing imported malaria morbidity and mortality. Intravenous artesunate (IVAS) is now available for severe malaria treatment in the US. Hospitals and pharmacists should have a malaria treatment plan that includes stocking artemether-lumefantrine for uncomplicated malaria and ensuring access to IVAS for severe cases.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jack Adderley, Christian Doerig
Summary: This study fills gaps in the kinomes of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, highlighting their similarities and differences for target selection. It also identifies kinases that are not suitable targets for drug discovery due to their high similarity with human counterparts.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Wan-Yu Chu, Thomas P. C. Dorlo
Summary: Pyronaridine-artesunate has been strongly recommended in the recently updated WHO Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria in 2022 as the newest artemisinin-based combination therapy for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria. It is being adopted in areas with increasing chloroquine resistance. Pyronaridine is an old antimalarial agent that inhibits the synthesis of the haemozoin pigment in the Plasmodium digestive vacuole. Its pharmacokinetic properties are influenced by its tendency to accumulate in blood cells.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Cindy S. Chu, Marie Stolbrink, Daniel Stolady, Makoto Saito, Candy Beau, Kan Choun, Tha Gay Wah, Ne Mu, Klay Htoo, Be Nu, Arunrot Keereevijit, Jacher Wiladpaingern, Verena Carrara, Aung Pyae Phyo, Khin Maung Lwin, Christine Luxemburger, Stephane Proux, Prakaykaew Charunwatthana, Rose McGready, Nicholas J. White, Francois Nosten
Summary: This study reviewed all malaria cases managed by the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit along the Thailand-Myanmar border between 2000 and 2016. The results showed that Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria had higher incidence and mortality rates in this area compared to areas of low seasonal malaria transmission.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
