Recent advances and new strategies on leishmaniasis treatment

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology 2020-11, Vol.104 (21), p.8965-8977
• Main Authors: Roatt, Bruno Mendes, de Oliveira Cardoso, Jamille Mirelle, De Brito, Rory Cristiane Fortes, Coura-Vital, Wendel, de Oliveira Aguiar-Soares, Rodrigo Dian, Reis, Alexandre Barbosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amphotericin B; Analysis; Antiprotozoal Agents - therapeutic use; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Care and treatment; Disease control; Drug delivery; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug development; Drug discovery; Drug resistance; Drugs; Global health; Health services; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Immunomodulation; Immunomodulators; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis - drug therapy; Life Sciences; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Microbiology; Miltefosine; Mini-Review; Nanotechnology; Parasitic diseases; Public health; Side effects; Topical medication; Toxicity; Vector-borne diseases; Vehicles
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10856-w

Leishmaniasis is one of the most important tropical neglected diseases according to the World Health Organization. Even after more than a century, we still have few drugs for the disease therapy and their great toxicity and side effects put in check the treatment control program around the world. Moreover, the emergence of strains resistant to conventional drugs, co-infections such as HIV/ Leishmania spp., the small therapeutic arsenal (pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B and formulations, and miltefosine), and the low investment for the discovery/development of new drugs force researchers and world health agencies to seek new strategies to combat and control this important neglected disease. In this context, the aim of this review is to summarize new advances and new strategies used on leishmaniasis therapy addressing alternative and innovative treatment paths such as physical and local/topical therapies, combination or multi-drug uses, immunomodulation, drug repurposing, and the nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. Key points • The treatment of leishmaniasis is a challenge for global health agencies. • Toxicity, side effects, reduced therapeutic arsenal, and drug resistance are the main problems. • New strategies and recent advances on leishmaniasis treatment are urgent. • Immunomodulators, nanotechnology, and drug repurposing are the future of leishmaniasis treatment.