The Past, Present and Future of Anti-malarial Medicines

Overview

Journal Malar J

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Tropical Medicine

Date 2019 Mar 24

PMID 30902052

Citations 121

Authors

Edwin G Tse

Marat Korsik

Matthew H Todd

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Great progress has been made in recent years to reduce the high level of suffering caused by malaria worldwide. Notably, the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets for malaria prevention and the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for malaria treatment have made a significant impact. Nevertheless, the development of resistance to the past and present anti-malarial drugs highlights the need for continued research to stay one step ahead. New drugs are needed, particularly those with new mechanisms of action. Here the range of anti-malarial medicines developed over the years are reviewed, beginning with the discovery of quinine in the early 1800s, through to modern day ACT and the recently-approved tafenoquine. A number of new potential anti-malarial drugs currently in development are outlined, along with a description of the hit to lead campaign from which it originated. Finally, promising novel mechanisms of action for these and future anti-malarial medicines are outlined.

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