Evaluation of the therapeutic value of two drug-like compounds for clearing human infections using the mouse model

Advisor Information

Paul Davis

Location

Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Room B

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Start Date

8-3-2013 2:45 PM

End Date

8-3-2013 3:00 PM

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a human parasite that can cause serious health problems, including death, in some individuals. There are currently no FDA approved drugs that are able to completely eliminate toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma infections). Thus, it is important to identify compounds that may be able to serve as anti-Toxoplasma drugs. Additionally, many compounds that can eliminate toxoplasmosis are effective in treating malaria, a disease that kills more than one million people each year. Recently, a small group of drug-like compounds were identified as compounds that may be able to clear toxoplasmosis. After their identification, some of these compounds were evaluated in the laboratory for their ability to kill T. gondii outside a host organism. It was demonstrated that some of these compounds can kill T. gondii without harming human cells. Two compounds from the described screen were determined to be especially promising drug candidates and were evaluated for their ability to eliminate Toxoplasma infection at the organismal level. Since Toxoplasma can infect mice as well as humans, mice were chosen as the animal model for evaluating the therapeutic value of these two compounds. The compounds were first demonstrated to be non-toxic to mice. The compounds were then evaluated for their ability to prevent side effects and death in Toxoplasma infections in mice. Mouse models have been used to further evaluate safety and efficacy.

Additional Information (Optional)

Winner of Outstanding Graduate Oral Presentation

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COinS
 
Mar 8th, 2:45 PM Mar 8th, 3:00 PM

Evaluation of the therapeutic value of two drug-like compounds for clearing human infections using the mouse model

Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Room B

Toxoplasma gondii is a human parasite that can cause serious health problems, including death, in some individuals. There are currently no FDA approved drugs that are able to completely eliminate toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma infections). Thus, it is important to identify compounds that may be able to serve as anti-Toxoplasma drugs. Additionally, many compounds that can eliminate toxoplasmosis are effective in treating malaria, a disease that kills more than one million people each year. Recently, a small group of drug-like compounds were identified as compounds that may be able to clear toxoplasmosis. After their identification, some of these compounds were evaluated in the laboratory for their ability to kill T. gondii outside a host organism. It was demonstrated that some of these compounds can kill T. gondii without harming human cells. Two compounds from the described screen were determined to be especially promising drug candidates and were evaluated for their ability to eliminate Toxoplasma infection at the organismal level. Since Toxoplasma can infect mice as well as humans, mice were chosen as the animal model for evaluating the therapeutic value of these two compounds. The compounds were first demonstrated to be non-toxic to mice. The compounds were then evaluated for their ability to prevent side effects and death in Toxoplasma infections in mice. Mouse models have been used to further evaluate safety and efficacy.