Route map for the discovery and pre-clinical development of new drugs and treatments for cutaneous leishmaniasis

Abstract

Although there have been significant advances in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and several novel compounds are currently in pre-clinical and clinical development for this manifestation of leishmaniasis, there have been limited advances in drug research and development (R & D) for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Here we review the need for new treatments for CL, describe in vitro and in vivo assays, models and approaches taken over the past decade to establish a pathway for the discovery, and pre-clinical development of new drugs for CL. These recent advances include novel mouse models of infection using bioluminescent Leishmania, the introduction of PK/PD approaches to skin infection, and defined pre-clinical candidate profiles.

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Drug development; Drug discovery; Formulations; Immunomodulatory drugs; In vitro assays; In vivo models; Pharmacokinetics.