New medicines for Chagas disease
Drug Discovery for Chagas Disease
Researchers are creating and improving new drug candidates to treat people infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307641 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists are testing several new chemical series found in large laboratory screens to find medicines that kill Trypanosoma cruzi. They study how the compounds stop the parasite's cell division and use lab tests and mouse models to see whether infections are cleared. Because an earlier lead series showed genetic-toxicity signals in the Ames test, the team is optimizing three backup molecule types (oxazoles, thienopyrimidinones, and diazines) to improve safety and potency. The work focuses on medicinal chemistry and preclinical testing to create candidates suitable for future human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Chagas disease (infection with Trypanosoma cruzi), including those with chronic infection, would be the candidates for future clinical trials based on this work.
Not a fit: This is preclinical research, so it will not directly help patients right now and is unlikely to benefit people who need immediate treatment or those without Chagas disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce safer, more effective medicines that clear T. cruzi infection and improve outcomes for people with Chagas disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches have cleared T. cruzi in lab and mouse models and the team previously advanced benzothiazoles to late preclinical stages, but safety issues prevented human testing so the strategy has promising preclinical but not clinical proof.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buckner, Frederick Simmons — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Buckner, Frederick Simmons
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.