Filarial worms: Targets for drugs

Abstract

In recent years, WHO, through the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP), has promoted basic research in filariasis, and has collaborated with pharmaceutical companies interested in the development of new drugs for the treatment of tropical diseases ~. Ivermectin and amocarzine 2 are among the products of this collaboration. The development of a safe and effective macrofilaricide able to kill adult worms in both onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, preferably in a single oral dose, is the major objective of the recently created Macrofil Chemotherapy Project, jointly funded by OCP and TDR. The Project, already operating a drug-screening programme, aims to develop a more rational strategy of drug development in line with current pharmaceutical industry practice. The Macrofil ProJect group therefore recently organized a meeting* to evaluate the potential macrofilaricidal activity of a range of possible biochemical targets. To widen the spectrum of potential targets and to seek guidance from other successful drug development areas, in addition to those currently concerned with filarial worms, participants were invited with experience in human pharmacology and of drug development against nematodes, trematodes, protozoa, fungi, viruses, insects and tumours.