Combating antimicrobial resistance in malaria, HIV and tuberculosis

• Published in: Nature reviews. Drug discovery Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 461 - 479
• Main Authors: Duffey, Maëlle, Shafer, Robert W., Timm, Juliano, Burrows, Jeremy N., Fotouhi, Nader, Cockett, Mark, Leroy, Didier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.06.2024; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/154; 692/699/255; Antimicrobial agents; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Biotechnology; Cancer Research; Drug development; Drug resistance; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Immune system; Infectious diseases; Malaria; Medicinal Chemistry; Molecular Medicine; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Review Article; Tuberculosis
• ISSN: 1474-1776; 1474-1784; 1474-1784
• DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00933-4

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to the sustainability of effective treatments against the three most prevalent infectious diseases: malaria, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and tuberculosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel drugs and treatment protocols capable of reducing the emergence of resistance and combating it when it does occur. In this Review, we present an overview of the status and underlying molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in these three diseases. We also discuss current strategies to address resistance during the research and development of next-generation therapies. These strategies vary depending on the infectious agent and the array of resistance mechanisms involved. Furthermore, we explore the potential for cross-fertilization of knowledge and technology among these diseases to create innovative approaches for minimizing drug resistance and advancing the discovery and development of new anti-infective treatments. In conclusion, we advocate for the implementation of well-defined strategies to effectively mitigate and manage resistance in all interventions against infectious diseases.  The rise of drug resistance presents a significant challenge in the treatment of infectious diseases. This Review summarizes the status and mechanisms of drug resistance in malaria, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and tuberculosis, and explores strategies to address resistance that could be incorporated into drug development across these disease areas.