University of Houston Professor Secures $3.9M Grant to Combat Deadly Parasites Threatening Children and Immunocompromised Individuals

A University of Houston professor has secured nearly $4 million in funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. This grant will help him lead a team focused on creating treatments for Cryptosporidium infections, which can be severe and currently have no cure.

Cryptosporidium parasites, particularly C. hominis and C. parvum, are notorious for being among the deadliest waterborne pathogens. Each year, they result in over 50,000 child fatalities due to severe diarrhea. They rank as the second leading cause of diarrhea-related deaths, especially affecting young children and immunocompromised adults. Alarmingly, these parasites could also be used as bioterrorism agents if introduced into water supplies.

Unlike other major diarrheal pathogens, Cryptosporidium lacks effective treatments or vaccines. This gap in medical response highlights an urgent global health issue.

To tackle this problem, Gregory Cuny, the Joseph P. & Shirley Shipman Buckley Endowed Professor of Drug Discovery at UH, will spearhead a multi-institutional effort. His goal is to find effective drugs to treat cryptosporidiosis, especially in vulnerable populations like children and those with weakened immune systems.

A promising lead in this research is an enzyme called CDPK1, or Calcium-dependent protein kinase 1. Scientists have discovered that inhibiting this enzyme can significantly slow parasite growth. Cuny emphasizes that finding clinical candidates to target CDPK1 could revolutionize treatment options.

The team plans to design drug candidates that can stay in the system longer, using a method called enterohepatic recycling, which allows them to be absorbed by the liver and sent to the intestines without being rapidly eliminated. The design will also focus on delivering the medication directly to the gastrointestinal tract, where these infections primarily occur.

As Cuny points out, CDPK1 has unique structural features that could allow for selective drug design, targeting the parasite without affecting similar human enzymes. This approach might not just benefit Cryptosporidium treatment but could also offer new strategies for addressing other gastrointestinal issues, like colonic cancers and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Cuny’s team includes esteemed colleagues like Ming Hu and Kevin Garey from UH, along with Wesley Van Voorhis from the University of Washington and Saul Tzipori from Tufts University. Their collective expertise could hold the keys to combating this dire health challenge.

According to the World Health Organization, waterborne disease outbreaks have risen globally, underscoring the need for effective solutions. As researchers work toward creating new treatments, the public remains hopeful for breakthroughs that could save lives and improve health outcomes worldwide.

For more information on recent research in infectious diseases, visit the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

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