ABSTRACT
Eflornithine is the most recent antitrypanosomal agent to be developed and introduced into clinical use. It is a small molecule compared with other antitrypanosomal agents currently available, with a chemical structure of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) (see Figure 196.1). It has a molecular weight of 182.2 g/mol, and its molecular formula is C6H12F2N2O2. It is presented as a racemic mixture of the L-and D-enantiomers of alpha-DFMO, with the L-enantiomer believed to be the most biologically active, as demonstrated in mammalian cells (> 20 times activity compared with D-) and in cultured Trypanosoma brucei parasites (Jansson et al., 2008). Chemical structure of eflornithine (DFMO). https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315152110/08d8042d-9481-4a8d-8c27-9bd589f6de6b/content/fig196_1.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
