Abstract
Drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases is carried out using both target-based and phenotypic approaches. In this paper, target-based approaches are discussed, with a particular focus on human African trypanosomiasis. Target-based drug discovery can be successful, but careful selection of targets is required. There are still very few fully validated drug targets in neglected diseases, and there is a high attrition rate in target-based drug discovery for these diseases. Phenotypic screening is a powerful method in both neglected and non-neglected diseases and has been very successfully used. Identification of molecular targets from phenotypic approaches can be a way to identify potential new drug targets.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Acyltransferases / antagonists & inhibitors
-
Acyltransferases / metabolism
-
Drug Discovery / methods*
-
Humans
-
Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
-
Neglected Diseases / parasitology
-
Neglected Diseases / prevention & control*
-
Phenotype
-
Protozoan Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
-
Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
-
Trypanocidal Agents / chemistry
-
Trypanocidal Agents / therapeutic use*
-
Trypanosoma brucei brucei / drug effects
-
Trypanosoma brucei brucei / enzymology
-
Trypanosoma brucei brucei / genetics
-
Trypanosomiasis, African / parasitology
-
Trypanosomiasis, African / prevention & control*
Substances
-
Protozoan Proteins
-
Trypanocidal Agents
-
Acyltransferases
-
glycylpeptide N-tetradecanoyltransferase