THE ANTIPARASITE EFFECTS OF CYCLOSPORINE-A - POSSIBLE DRUG TARGETS AND CLINICAL-APPLICATIONS

1. The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A, and some of its nonimmuno suppressive derivatives, are potent inhibitors of a range of parasites of humans. 2. Cyclosporin A and the structurally unrelated immunosupp ressant FK506 are known to act on T-lymphocytes as complexes with thei r binding proteins, cyclophilins and FKBPs, respectively. 3. Cyclophil ins and FKBPs have been structurally identified in a number of parasit es and, in some instances, are believed to play roles in the antiparas itic actions of these drugs. 4. Nonimmunosuppressive cyclosporins and FK506 derivatives may have clinical potential in certain parasitic dis eases, especially malaria and schistosomiasis, and identification of t he targets of these drugs in parasites may lead to development of nove l chemotherapeutic agents.