Chloroquine against malaria, cancers and viral diseases.

Chloroquine against malaria, cancers and viral diseases.
Drug Discov Today. 2020 Sep 16;:
Authors: Zhou W, Wang H, Yang Y, Chen ZS, Zou C, Zhang J
Abstract
Quinoline (QN) derivatives are often used for the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria. Chloroquine (CQ), a protonated, weakly basic drug, exerts its antimalarial effect mainly by increasing pH and accumulating in the food vacuole of the parasites. Repurposing CQ is an emerging strategy for new indications. Given the inhibition of autophagy and its immunomodulatory action, CQ shows positive efficacy against cancer and viral diseases, include Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we review the underlying mechanisms behind the antimalarial, anticancer and antiviral effects of CQ. We also discuss the clinical evidence for the use of CQ and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) against COVID-19.
PMID: 32947043 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Drug Discovery Today - September 15, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Zhou W, Wang H, Yang Y, Chen ZS, Zou C, Zhang J Tags: Drug Discov Today Source Type: research