Fexinidazole, A Promising Oral Treatment against Human African Trypanosomiasis, Clinical Research, and Potential

Abstract

HAT, a parasitic disease that has significant impact on human nervous system, has caused several epidemic in sub-Sahara area. Between 1960-1990, approximately 5 HAT epidemic broke out in these areas. HAT can be aggressively communicable and vital without any treatment with a death rate of 95%. In addition, only little symptoms showed after infection so many patients who are not conscious about it may cause even more severe epidemic. In recent years, roughly 300 patients still die for it yearly. To cope with the disease, several medical companies make efforts to seek for treatments effectively against HAT. These research on treatment can prevent the wide spread of HAT and help patients to come back to their normal lives. The life expectancy and quality will also improve with treatment for HAT. Therefore, in this review, we collect information and data about HAT and relevant treatment. Among treatments, we focus on a recent drug named Fexinidazole, which can be effective to treat all phases of HAT. Furthermore, it also has potential to guide a new approach in finding new drugs by research on its mechanism.