In vivo and in vitro auranofin activity against Trypanosoma cruzi: Possible new uses for an old drug.

Exp Parasitol

Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, 13560-590, São Carlos, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil. Electronic address:

Published: July 2016

Chagas disease, Sleeping Sickness, Nagana and Leishmaniasis are serious infections caused by protozoa of the order Kinetoplastidae. They were described over a century ago by seminal work of different physician-researchers and, despite the initial discoveries, few drugs have been made available for the treatment of these infections. The drugs available present serious efficacy and toxicity problems. Moreover, the emergence of resistant strains has rendered the development of novel chemotherapeutic strategies a priority. Auranofin is currently in use to treat rheumatoid arthritis in humans. Previous reports showed that this compound presents activity against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania cells. In Trypanosoma cruzi cells, auranofin resulted in a more potent compound than benznidazole in vitro when tested in different DTUs. In vivo experiments, although not decreasing T. cruzi parasitemia, decreases host mortality. Therefore, we propose auranofin as a potential alternative for a new chemotherapy in Chagas disease with the added advantage of already being approved for use in humans.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2015.05.012DOI Listing

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