Alkylphospholipids - a promising class of chemotherapeutic agents with a broad pharmacological spectrum

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences 2013-01, Vol.16 (5), p.742-759
• Main Authors: Pachioni, Juliana de Almeida, Magalhães, Juliana Gallottini, Lima, Elys Juliane Cardoso, Bueno, Luciana de Moura, Barbosa, Joyce Ferreira, de Sá, Matheus Malta, Rangel-Yagui, Carlota Oliveira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Bacterial Infections - drug therapy; Humans; Mycoses - drug therapy; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Parasitic Diseases - drug therapy; Phospholipids - pharmacology; Phospholipids - therapeutic use; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - pharmacology; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1482-1826; 1482-1826
• DOI: 10.18433/j3cw23

Since when alkylphospholipds (ALPs) were discovered and, even further after miltefosine's approval for the treatment of cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer and leishmaniasis, their activity against many other diseases have been extensively studied. This review aims to provide a summary of the alkylphospholipids' applications investigated so far. The mechanism of action of ALPs is not fully understood, however it is believed that they interfere with lipid homeostasis leading to cell apoptosis. Due to ALPs cytotoxic activity, this class of molecules has shown to be effective against many diseases and conditions. Besides the approval of miltefosine for application in cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer and visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, several other analogs have proved efficacy and are promising as less toxic alternatives. ALPs have also shown in vitro and in vivo activity against Trypanosoma spp., amoebae, Tricomonas vaginalis, Schistosoma mansoni, HIV, and some fungi and bacteria species. The use of ALPs for intraocular lens coating is also under investigation. In addition, a clinical trial comparing miltefosine with usual treatments to spontaneous urticaria is also being conducted. Alkylphospholipids present such a broad pharmacological spectrum that justifies the need for further investigations of the drug class mechanisms of action, as well as the search for new analogs with improved activity and toxicological profiles.