Skip to main content
An official website of the European UnionAn official EU website
European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
CORDIS Web 30th anniversary CORDIS Web 30th anniversary

Improved therapies for soil-transmitted helminthiases: exploring pharmacomicrobiomics, novel drugs and microfluidic assay platforms

Project description

Towards the next generation of drugs against helminth infections

Parasitic worm infections are responsible for a considerable public health burden and treatment options are limited. The EU-funded DRUGSBUGS project aims to improve the understanding of major and upcoming anthelminthics, in particular the microbiome-driven modulation of anthelminthic treatment because of the interaction between gut microbes and drugs. Moreover, researchers will lay the foundation for the discovery and development of the next generation of anthelminthics testing emodepside in Phase 2a and 2b clinical trials and investment in innovative new technologies in the field of drug discovery.

Objective

An estimated 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) causing a global burden of 1.9 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Current treatment options are limited. Preliminary studies in my lab hint towards a gut microbiome mechanism responsible for treatment failures of the most efficacious treatment currently available, albendazole-ivermectin. I propose an innovative 5-year project (“DRUGSBUGS”) that holds promise for major breakthroughs in anthelminthic drug discovery and development. I will deepen the understanding of current and potentially upcoming anthelminthics, in particular the microbiome-driven modulation of anthelminthic treatment. I will investigate underlying gut microbial structures in human stool samples associated with efficacy of albendazole-ivermectin treatment. Findings will be experimentally validated in vitro and in vivo. In addition, I speculate that emodepside will emerge as a novel key player in the anthelminthic drug armamentarium, which will enhance efficacy and reduce the risk of selection of resistant helminth populations. DRUGSBUGS proposes two Phase 2a dose selection trials with emodepside against Trichuris trichiura and hookworm in adults. Subsequent Phase 2b studies will assess whether emodepside is superior to albendazole against hookworm and T. trichiura. Using a microsampling technique, I will characterize the pharmacokinetics of emodepside in patients infected with T. trichiura and hookworm. In parallel, investing in innovative new technologies in the field of drug discovery will facilitate the discovery and development of the next generation of anthelminthics. I propose to study drug effects on motility and viability of different STH larvae applying electrical impedance spectroscopy on a microfluidic chip platform. My proposed research is of considerable public health relevance since it will ultimately result in improved treatments for soil-transmitted helminthiases.

Host institution

SCHWEIZERISCHES TROPEN UND PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUT
Net EU contribution
€ 2 470 621,00
Address
KREUZSTRASSE 2
4123 Allschwil
Switzerland

See on map

Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Basel-Landschaft
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 2 470 621,00

Beneficiaries (1)