Validation and optimization of new therapeutic compounds against Chagas disease – CHAGAS

Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite responsible for Chagas disease, one of the most neglected diseases. Only one treatment is currently available for acute infection but its effectiveness in chronic phases is challenged. This treatment is highly toxic, frequently causing severe side effects on humans. A chemotherapeutic target was identified and validated : TcPRAC (proline racemase), a key and essential parasite enzyme. The main objective of the CHAGAS project is to bring in vivo preclinical validation of the inhibitory activity of 10 compounds identified in the laboratory, derived from a recent highly innovative multidisciplinary effort and expertises involving Immunology, Biophysics, Structural bioinformatics, Medicinal Chemistry and Biology of the infectious process. Therefore, CHAGAS aims at developing a new therapy against the disease through a global optimization of the pharmacologic properties of these nontoxic compounds that interfere with parasite development and growth.