In vivo and in vitro auranofin activity against Trypanosoma cruzi: Possible new uses for an old drug

Chagas disease, Sleeping Sickness, Nagana and Leishmaniasis are serious infections caused by protozoa of the order Kinetoplastidae. They were described over a century ago by seminal work of different physician-researchers and, despite the initial discoveries, few drugs have been made available for the treatment of these infections. The drugs available present serious efficacy and toxicity problems. Moreover, the emergence of resistant strains has rendered the development of novel chemotherapeutic strategies a priority. Auranofin is currently in use to treat rheumatoid arthritis in humans. Previous reports showed that this compound presents activity against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania cells. In Trypanosoma cruzi cells, auranofin resulted in a more potent compound than benznidazole in vitro when tested in different DTUs. In vivo experiments, although not decreasing T. cruzi parasitemia, decreases host mortality. Therefore, we propose auranofin as a potential alternative for a new chemotherapy in Chagas disease with the added advantage of already being approved for use in humans. [Display omitted] •We tested the drug auranofin in Trypanosoma cruzi cells.•We show that auranofin is more potent than benznidazole.•We show the auranofin effect on the six Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs.•Auranofin is shown as a potential Trypanosoma cruzi drug.