Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection cured with a mechanistically distinct drug combination

Abstract

Infections with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi are widespread in the Americas and can lead to severe cardiac and/or gastrointestinal pathology. Current treatments are limited to monotherapies characterised by prolonged dosing regimens, disputed efficacy and toxic side-effects. Here, we demonstrate that short duration co-administration of well-tolerated sub-efficacious oral doses of the parasite-selective proteasome inhibitor GNF6702 and the pro-drug benznidazole produce parasitological cure in an experimental model of chronic Chagas disease.