Leishmaniases are a group of tropical diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. They are considered neglected diseases prevalent in emerging countries in Latin America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia and still occurring in Mediterranean countries. There is no human vaccine available to prevent and control the disease infection. For the last 70 years, the available chemotherapy has been constituted by first-line (pentavalent antimonials) and second-line drugs (amphotericin B, pentamidine, paramomycin, and miltefosine). Its route of administration is difficult, the treatment is long, and its efficiency varies depending on the parasite species and clinical manifestations, which results in the emergence of resistant cases. Moreover, they present high toxicity to patients, and even some less toxic formulations available, are still expensive for the poorest countries’ vulnerable populations. This often leads to abandonment and failure of treatment. The medical-scientific community is facing difficulties to overcome these issues with new suitable therapies, and the identification of new drug targets. So, it means that efforts to identify new strategies must continue.
The purpose of this topic is to publish studies related to the discovery of new molecules or drug repositioning and new strategies and technologies in the treatment of leishmaniasis with potential microbicidal and immunomodulatory activities. Alternative protocols, such as the rational combination of drugs or combinations of immunotherapy and antileishmanial drugs, have been cited as favorably reducing individual doses, treatment duration, and adverse effects. So, comprehensive long-term studies that determine the actual efficacy of these alternative protocols are also welcome.
- Studies of new potential molecules with anti-Leishmanial effects in vitro and in vivo.
- Studies that describe the mechanisms of action of anti-Leishmanial or novel compounds to elucidate their physiological effects.
- Studies using drug repositioning for leishmaniasis treatment
- Studies using immune modulation in leishmaniasis treatment
- In vivo studies using controlled release systems of drug release that address the efficacy of these new antileishmanial formulations.
- Studies of drug resistance in leishmaniasis
Leishmaniases are a group of tropical diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. They are considered neglected diseases prevalent in emerging countries in Latin America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia and still occurring in Mediterranean countries. There is no human vaccine available to prevent and control the disease infection. For the last 70 years, the available chemotherapy has been constituted by first-line (pentavalent antimonials) and second-line drugs (amphotericin B, pentamidine, paramomycin, and miltefosine). Its route of administration is difficult, the treatment is long, and its efficiency varies depending on the parasite species and clinical manifestations, which results in the emergence of resistant cases. Moreover, they present high toxicity to patients, and even some less toxic formulations available, are still expensive for the poorest countries’ vulnerable populations. This often leads to abandonment and failure of treatment. The medical-scientific community is facing difficulties to overcome these issues with new suitable therapies, and the identification of new drug targets. So, it means that efforts to identify new strategies must continue.
The purpose of this topic is to publish studies related to the discovery of new molecules or drug repositioning and new strategies and technologies in the treatment of leishmaniasis with potential microbicidal and immunomodulatory activities. Alternative protocols, such as the rational combination of drugs or combinations of immunotherapy and antileishmanial drugs, have been cited as favorably reducing individual doses, treatment duration, and adverse effects. So, comprehensive long-term studies that determine the actual efficacy of these alternative protocols are also welcome.
- Studies of new potential molecules with anti-Leishmanial effects in vitro and in vivo.
- Studies that describe the mechanisms of action of anti-Leishmanial or novel compounds to elucidate their physiological effects.
- Studies using drug repositioning for leishmaniasis treatment
- Studies using immune modulation in leishmaniasis treatment
- In vivo studies using controlled release systems of drug release that address the efficacy of these new antileishmanial formulations.
- Studies of drug resistance in leishmaniasis