Miltefosine to treat leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis exists in both visceral and cutaneous forms, and miltefosine is the first oral agent with demonstrable efficacy against both types of this disease. At a dose of approximately 2.5 mg/kg/day for 28 days, miltefosine is > 90% curative for visceral disease in India and cutaneous disease in Colombia. Miltefosine is a lecithin analogue and its mechanism may be to inhibit phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in the causative parasites. The clinical half-life of miltefosine is approximately 7 days. Whether or not miltefosine can be used for widespread out-patient treatment of individuals and whole populations depends on whether its efficacy and tolerability can be maintained in further treatment trials.