Birkholtz, Lyn-MarieCoetzer, Theresa L.Mancama, DaluLeroy, DidierAlano, Pietro2016-11-142016-09Birkholtz, LM, Coetzer, TL, Mancama, D, Leroy, D & Alano, P 2016, 'Discovering new transmission-blocking antimalarial compounds : challenges and opportunities', Trends in Parasitology, vol. 32, no. 9, pp. 669-681.1471-4922 (print)1471-5007 (online)10.1016/j.pt.2016.04.017http://hdl.handle.net/2263/57949The ability to target human-mosquito parasite transmission challenges global malaria elimination. However, it is not obvious what a transmission-blocking drug will look like; should it 1) target only parasite transmission stages; 2) be combined with a partner drug killing the pathogenic asexual stages or 3) kill both the sexual and asexual blood stages, preferably displaying polypharmacology. The development of transmission-blocking anti-malarials requires objective analyses of the current strategies. Here, pertinent issues and unanswered questions regarding the target candidate profile of a transmission-blocking compound, and its role in malaria elimination strategies are highlighted and novel perspectives proposed. The essential role of a test cascade that integrates screening and validation strategies to identify next generation transmission-blocking anti-malarials is emphasised.en© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Trends in Parasitology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in Trends in Parasitology, vol. 32, no. 9, pp. 669-681, 2016. doi : 10.1016/j.pt.2016.04.017.Drug discoveryEliminationGametocytesMalariaTransmissionPostprint Article