[Iron chelation in antimalarial therapy].

Rapid development of significant resistance to antimalarial drugs has been a major force driving research to identify and develop new compounds. A number of iron(III)-chelating compounds designed for purposes other than treating malaria have in vitro antimalarial activity stemming from iron deprivation or toxic effects related to free radical release. Several of the iron(III) chelators have been effective in animal models of plasmodial infection. Desferrioxamine has been used successfully against both uncomplicated and severe malaria in humans. Iron-chelating agents seem to be promising therapeutic adjuvants for treatment of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection.