Transporters for drug delivery and as drug targets in parasitic protozoa

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Jan;87(1):122-5. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2009.116. Epub 2009 Jul 1.

Abstract

Parasitic protozoa cause devastating diseases across large regions of the globe, but a lack of economic incentives has resulted in the limited development of drugs against these "neglected diseases." Transporters expressed in the plasma membranes of these parasites offer potential for the development of new drugs. These permeases could be employed in two distinct strategies for drug development: (i) targeting selective delivery of drugs to the parasite and (ii) developing drugs that inhibit essential parasite permeases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiparasitic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiparasitic Agents / metabolism
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Parasitic Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Parasitic Diseases / metabolism*
  • Parasitic Diseases / parasitology

Substances

  • Antiparasitic Agents
  • Membrane Transport Proteins