Leishmaniasis

With its partners, DNDi has developed four improved Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) treatments, including two in 2022 alone. 1. Before 2010, the treatments available for visceral leishmaniasis in Africa had serious limitations: liposomal amphotericin B was very costly, and antimonials such as sodium stibogluconate were difficult to administer – with long treatment times and frequent side effects – and had emerging resistance. DNDi conducted clinical trials showing that the combination of sodium stibogluconate and paramomycin (SSG&PM) was as safe and effective as the existing standard treatment. With SSG&PM, treatment now lasts 17 days instead of 30 days, and costs less. The shorter treatment is easier on patients and health centres, and more people can be treated during outbreaks. It has been recommended by WHO as first-line treatment for visceral leishmaniasis in East Africa since 2010. DNDi continues to support the implementation of this treatment in East Africa. 2. In 2010, WHO recommended using new short-course treatments for visceral leishmaniasis in South Asia based on excellent results in DNDi Phase III studies. However, more evidence was needed on the safety and effectiveness of using these treatments for in wider populations under field conditions. In 2013, based on the interim safety data from a trial conducted by DNDi, Brazil’s national guidelines for visceral leishmaniasis were revised to include treatment with liposomal amphotericin B for some patients. 3. In June 2022, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published new guidelines for the treatment of leishmaniasis in the Americas recommending liposomal amphotericin B for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis instead of pentavalent antimonials. 4. In June 2022, based on the results of two studies conducted since 2014 in Ethiopia and India (led by MSF), the World Health Organization released new treatment guidelines for the treatment of people co-infected with visceral leishmaniasis and HIV, recommending a combination of liposomal amphotericin B with miltefosine. Additionally, DNDi has replenished the R&D pipeline with an unprecedent portfolio of all-new potential drugs that could revolutionize treatment and accelerate progress towards global elimination goals.