Drug transfer into target helminth parasites

ALVAREZ, L.; MOTTIER, L.; LANUSSE, C.

TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2007 vol. 23 p. 97 - 104

1471-4922

  The pharmacokinetics of an anthelmintic drug involves the time course of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination from the host, which, in turn, determines the concentration of the active drug reaching the site of parasite location. However, the anthelmintic action also depends on the ability of the active drug to reach its specific receptor within the target parasite. Thus, drug entry and accumulation into target helminths are critical issues to achieve optimal efficacy. Despite the structural differences between the external surface of nematodes (cuticle) and cestodes/trematodes (tegument), the mechanism of drug entrance to both types of helminths seems to be equally dependent on lipophilicity, as a major physico-chemical determinant of drug capability to reach therapeutic concentrations within the target parasite. Understanding the processes that regulates drug transfer into helminth parasites is scientifically relevant to optimize parasite control both in human and in veterinary medicine.