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Home / Publications / Comparative efficacy, toxicity and biodistribution of the liposomal amphotericin B formulations Fungisome®and AmBisome®in murine cutaneous leishmaniasis

Comparative efficacy, toxicity and biodistribution of the liposomal amphotericin B formulations Fungisome®and AmBisome®in murine cutaneous leishmaniasis

  • Authors: Wijnant GJ, Van Bocxlaer K, Yardley V, Harris A, Alavijeh M, Silva-Pedrosa R, Antunes S, Maurício I, Murdan S, Croft SL
  • Publication Year: 2018
  • Journal: International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance
  • Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29673889

Fungisome® (F), a liposomal amphotericin B (AmB) product, is marketed in India as a safe and effective therapeutic for the parasitic infection visceral leishmaniasis. Its potential in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a disfiguring form of the disease affecting the skin, is currently unknown. Here, we report the evaluation of the efficacy of F in the Leishmania major BALB/c murine model of CL, including a head-to-head comparison with the standard liposomal AmB formulation AmBisome® (A). Upon intravenous administration at dose levels of 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg of body weight (on days 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8), F showed clear signs of toxicity (at 15 mg/kg), while A did not. After complete treatment (day 10), the tolerated doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg F had significant antileishmanial activity (ED50 = 4.0 and 12.8 mg/kg for qPCR-based parasite load and lesion size, respectively), although less than that of A at identical doses (ED50 = 3.0 and 8.8 mg/kg). The efficacy of F was inferior compared to A because lower levels of the active agent AmB accumulated within the infected lesion. In conclusion, despite possibly being less safe and efficacious than A at equivalent doses, the moderate in vivo activity of F could indicate a role in the systemic pharmacotherapy of CL.

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About GHTM

GHTM is a R&D Unit that brings together researchers with a track record in Tropical Medicine and International & Global Health. It aims at strengthening Portugal's role as a leading partner in the development and implementation of a global health research agenda. Our evidence-based interventions contribute to the promotion of equity in health and to improve the health of populations.

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