What is it about?

We found what we consider the main mechanism of action of miltefosine concerning Lesihmania. The drug is able to open a calcium channel at the plasma membrane which is unique in these parasites, since it is activated by sphingosine. Miltefosine also affect the acidocalcisome function and collapse the lectrochemical mitochondrial potential of the parasite, producing the release of Ca2+ from these compartments

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Why is it important?

Because miltefosine is the unique oral approved drug against leishmaniasis and the mechanism of action was only partially elucidated

Perspectives

We have explored already some experiments that demonstrate that miltefosine also works on Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease hrough the same mechanism of action than in Leishmania

Prof. Dr. Gustavo Benaim
Universidad Central de Venezuela

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This page is a summary of: Mechanism of Action of Miltefosine on Leishmania donovani Involves the Impairment of Acidocalcisome Function and the Activation of the Sphingosine-Dependent Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Channel, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, October 2017, ASM Journals,
DOI: 10.1128/aac.01614-17.
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