Malaria Drugs: Clues From Malaria Resistance Genetics

New treatments for malaria are desperately needed. Malaria drug design can be assisted by knowledge on protective host genotypes. Individuals immune to severe malaria, being only mildly affected by the parasite infection, may carry alleles that provide protection from severe disease, which may provide clues for drug discovery. Lessons about protective genotypes have improved our understanding on the transmission and pathogenicity of the human immunodeficiency virus and have led to novel drug design. Similarly, clues from malaria protective genes may help in the design of new malaria therapies. Drug Dev Res 71:1-3, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.