Future prospects for the chemotherapy of Chagas' disease

Over the last two decades, progress towards new drugs for the treatment of Chagas' disease has been disappointing. However, as a result of the parasite genome sequencing projects, the possibility of identifying novel drug targets through genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics has never been better. Progress towards the development of novel therapeutics, from target identification and validation by chemical and genetic means through to rational drug design, is illustrated with reference to the metabolism and functions of trypanothione, with particular emphasis on trypanothione reductase, one current drug target of choice.