Host-directed therapy, an untapped opportunity for antimalarial intervention

Cell Rep Med. 2021 Oct 19;2(10):100423. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100423.

Abstract

Host-directed therapy (HDT) is gaining traction as a strategy to combat infectious diseases caused by viruses and intracellular bacteria, but its implementation in the context of parasitic diseases has received less attention. Here, we provide a brief overview of this field and advocate HDT as a promising strategy for antimalarial intervention based on untapped targets. HDT provides a basis from which repurposed drugs could be rapidly deployed and is likely to strongly limit the emergence of resistance. This strategy can be applied to any intracellular pathogen and is particularly well placed in situations in which rapid identification of treatments is needed, such as emerging infections and pandemics, as starkly illustrated by the current COVID-19 crisis.

Keywords: Host-directed therapy; antimalarial drug discovery; malaria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Repositioning*
  • Humans
  • Malaria / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antimalarials