Anti-cancer molecules show promise in the fight against malaria
Molecules known for their anticancer activity have proven effective against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria. Researchers at the University of São Paulo's School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCF-USP) in Brazil also investigated how differences in the molecules' structure affect their impact on the parasite. The research paves the way for more effective drugs.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brazil have discovered that molecules originally developed for treating cancer could potentially be used to combat malaria. The antineoplastic drugs, known as 6-Anilinopurine derivatives, were found to be effective against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the most severe form of malaria, in laboratory tests.
These compounds proved effective at two stages of the parasite's life cycle: the asexual stage, when it reproduces in blood cells and causes fever, and the gametocyte stage, when the parasite infects mosquitoes and potentially transmits the disease. The researchers believe that these drugs could not only treat patients but also prevent the spread of malaria.
However, further in vivo tests are needed to confirm the drug candidates' safety and stability in human beings. Despite their promising results, the researchers caution that these molecules may cause side effects such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hematological changes. The study, published in ACS Omega, also emphasizes the importance of structurally analyzing these derivatives to pinpoint their target within the parasite's cells, thus paving the way for more potent and selective malaria treatments.
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