JVATiTD - Novel hit and lead compounds against neglected protozoan diseases

Call for papers in the Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases

Edited by: Andre G. Tempone and Erika G. Pinto

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions of 149 countries. It is estimated that over 1 billion people are infected with NTDs, with a further 1 billion at risk. Among them, diseases caused by protozoan parasites affect millions of people worldwide, mainly the poorest ones in developing countries. However, such infections have been largely neglected in drug research and development. Most of the current medicines used to treat these diseases are old and have many limitations, including the emergence of drug resistance.

Edited by Prof. Andre G. Tempone (Institute Adolfo Lutz of São Paulo, Brazil) and Dr. Erika G. Pinto (University of Dundee, Scotland), this thematic series aims to build bridges between novel hit or lead compounds and new alternative therapies for neglected protozoan diseases (including malaria). We welcome contributions describing the in vitro and/or in vivo activity of antiprotozoan compounds isolated from natural products (pure and well-characterized substances) and synthetic compounds. Additionally, we also welcome contributions using drug repurposing (or repositioning) approaches, based in approved drugs. The antiprotozoan compounds to be considered as new hit or lead compounds, must be based in strong drug discovery criteria, as: i) potency, ii) selectivity index (or therapeutic index), iii) elimination of interference compounds (pan-assay interference compounds – PAINS), and iv) lack of important structural alerts for known toxic compounds. Contributions describing the mechanism of action (MoA) of drugs, or other active compounds in protozoans are also welcome, using cellular, molecular and/or in silico approaches.

The proposed deadline for submissions is April 30, 2018. The editors invite you to share your knowledge on this exciting subject and submit your manuscript for consideration.

Manuscripts should be formatted according to our submission guidelines and submitted via the online submission system. In the submission system please make sure the correct collection title is chosen from the additional information tab. Please also indicate clearly in the covering letter that the manuscript is to be considered for the "Novel hit and lead compounds against neglected protozoan diseases" series.

If you would like to enquire about the suitability of a manuscript for consideration, please email a pre-submission enquiry to editorial@jvat.org.br.