Chloroquine

Chloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline medication used to prevent and treat malaria and, in some cases, autoimmune diseases. It accumulates in acidic cellular compartments and can disrupt parasite growth and immune signaling.

Heme detoxification: The conversion of toxic free heme into less harmful forms, including hemozoin in malaria parasites. Chloroquine disrupts hemozoin formation, allowing toxic heme to accumulate inside malaria parasites.
Malaria prophylaxis: Medication taken before and during exposure to reduce the risk of developing malaria. Chloroquine prevents malaria only where local parasites remain susceptible to it.
Quinine: A natural alkaloid from cinchona bark historically used to prevent and treat malaria. Quinine inspired the search for synthetic antimalarials that led to chloroquine.
Artemisinin-based combination therapy: A malaria treatment combining an artemisinin derivative with a partner antimalarial drug. These combinations are standard for many falciparum infections where chloroquine resistance is prevalent.
Chloroquine resistance transporter: A Plasmodium falciparum protein whose mutations can reduce chloroquine accumulation in the parasite digestive vacuole. Mutations in this transporter are a major molecular basis of chloroquine resistance.
Plasmodium falciparum: A protozoan parasite that causes the most dangerous form of human malaria. Chloroquine targets blood-stage parasites, but resistance is widespread in this species.
Malaria treatment: The use of medicines to clear malaria parasites and manage the resulting illness. Chloroquine treats susceptible malaria infections, but it is unsuitable where resistance is common.
Resochin: The trade name for chloroquine, introduced as an antimalarial drug in the 1940s. The drug emerged from wartime research into synthetic substitutes for quinine.
Mefloquine: An antimalarial medicine used for prevention and treatment of susceptible malaria infections. Mefloquine is one alternative for prevention in regions where chloroquine-resistant malaria occurs.
Drug repurposing: The investigation or use of an existing medicine for a disease beyond its original indication. Chloroquine's proposed uses beyond malaria illustrate how old drugs attract repurposing efforts.

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