by Hübner MP, Townson S, Gokool S, Tagboto S, Maclean MJ, Verocai GG, Wolstenholme AJ, Frohberger SJ, Hoerauf A, Specht S, Scandale I, Harder A, Glenschek-Sieberth M, Hahnel SR, Kulke D. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance 2021; 17:27-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.07.005
Summary: Efforts to eliminate human filariasis have been hampered by the lack of a drug with sufficient macrofilaricidal and/or long-term sterilizing effects suitable for use in mass drug administration programs. Emodepside, a semi-synthetic cyclooctadepsipeptide, has broad-spectrum efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes in a variety of mammalian hosts, and has been approved as an active ingredient in veterinary dewormers. The authors evaluate, compare (where appropriate) and summarize the in vitro effects of emodepside against a range of filarial nematodes at various developmental stages. Although both stage- and species-specific differences were observed, emodepside inhibited the motility of all tested stages of filariae in a concentration-dependent manner, making emodepside a promising candidate for the treatment of human filariases, including onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis.
