MALARIA CHEMOTHERAPY IN THE TIME OF CHLOR OQUINE RESISTANCE

Despite few efforts to develop new antimalarial compounds by the major pharmaceutical companies, some promising new therapeutics have been d eveloped and tested clinically by small groups and companies throughou t the world. Really new substances are scarce but combinations of know n medicaments have been shown to be a rational and effective approach to overcome problems with single compounds. Additionally, combination regimens are more easily authorized and accepted for treatment than co mpletely new substances. Some examples in this respect are combination s of either atovaquone, doxycycline or clindamycin with a 'classical' antimalarial. Artemisinin, benflumetol and pyronaridine were originall y developed in China and disperse currently to the rest of the world. First independent and international clinical trials gave promising res ults and one should bear in mind those substances for future applicati ons. Especially artemisinin and its derivatives are of great interest because they represent, besides quinine, the only other therapeutic op tion for the treatment of multidrug-resistant severe malaria.