Chemotherapy of malaria

Clinical trials continue to provide evidence for the efficacy of semi-synthetic artemisinin derivatives and the novel fixed dose combination therapies MalaroneTM, co-artemether and chlorproguanil-dapsone. Single agents under development include the 8-aminoquinoline etaquine, pyronaridine and azithromycin. Preclinical interest in synthetic endoperoxides and quinoline analogues remains high and a significant is also being madein natural product chemistry. Dihydrpfolate reductase remains a molecular drug target of interest, whereas phospholipid metabolism represents a new approach. Genomic information is likely to produce many new drug targets for exploration in the coming decade.