Novel Therapeutic Strategies against Leishmania and Trypanosoma

Dear Colleagues,

The so-called neglected tropical diseases comprise a group of infections that is especially endemic in low-income populations in developing countries of Africa, Asia and the Americas. In this group, the American (Trypanosoma cruzi) and African (Trypanosoma brucei complex) trypanosome species and parasites belonging to the Leishmania genus are the etiologic agents of major human and animal parasitic diseases worldwide, being responsible for large socio-economic losses, especially in developing countries. The effective treatment of diseases caused by these trypanosomatids is still an open issue, nevertheless of paramount importance. Chemotherapy still relies on drugs developed decades ago, showing limited efficacy and possibility of toxic side effects. Nowadays, new approaches have been employed to improve treatment, and research is being conducted to discover strategies that are safer, more efficacious and accessible. These strategies include the use of lipid formulations, such as amphotericin B or miltefosine, to treat the leishmaniasis and chemotherapeutic combinations for other parasitic diseases. However, this still remains expensive, considering the target population. Moreover, the emergence of resistance has been reported. Efforts to tackle these diseases require research on the molecular components that regulate the infection initiation, which is critical for a better understanding of the diseases’ pathogeneses. Considering that these infections represent a major health concern worldwide, the development of a new generation of chemotherapeutic agents is of extreme importance. For that, research on the relevant aspects of targeted drug development is a critical priority. In this context, potential lines of research have been aroused: the search for original drugs, the search for potential compounds in public databases and the application of drugs already approved for clinical use for a particular purpose (repurposing strategy) against novel targets (or pathogens). Of particular relevance, novel drugs must be capable of blocking crucial biological events in the parasite cell, leading to growth arrest, inhibition of virulence factors and, most importantly, death. The editors invite investigators to contribute original research articles, as well as review articles, that will stimulate continuing efforts in the search for novel potential antiparasitic compounds and/or novel chemotherapeutic strategies against infections caused by Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma spp. Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• Synthesis and/or discovery of new compounds with antiparasitic properties;
• Old drugs with new prospective potential with antiparasitic action;
• Description of the physiological effects of new/old compounds, including inhibition of nutrition, growth, proliferation, differentiation and adhesion;
• Effects of new/old compounds on the expression/production of virulence factors by parasite cells;
• In vitro and/or in vivo efficacy of new or old compounds in the infectious process.

Prof. Dr. André Luis Souza dos Santos
Dr. Koert Ritmeijer
Prof. Dr. Marta Helena Branquinha
Dr. Claudia Masini d'Avila-Levy
Dr. Cátia Lacerda Sodré
Dr. Igor Rodrigues
Topic Editors