The crucial role of drug repositioning in tackling Chagas disease, sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), and leishmaniasis, disproportionately affect low-income populations in tropical and subtropical regions, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. Consequently, these diseases, historically overlooked in global health agendas, perpetuate cycles of poverty and impede economic development. Drug repositioning, the repurposing of existing drugs for new therapeutic uses presents a promising strategy by reducing drug development time and cost while leveraging known safety profiles. However, despite its success in other therapeutic areas, this approach remains underutilized for NTDs due to challenges such as a limited drug pool, intellectual property barriers, regulatory complexities, and ethical concerns. Essential strategies to overcome these obstacles include expanding approved drug libraries, fostering multi-sector collaborations, streamlining regulatory processes, and adopting innovative funding models. Collaborative efforts among governments, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and non-profit health organizations are crucial to fully unlock the potential of drug repositioning. By working together as a united front, these stakeholders can ultimately transform NTD treatment and improve global health outcomes.