囊性棘球蚴病是一种被忽视的人兽共患病，人类是该病的死胡同宿主。它不仅在低收入和中等收入国家的养羊地区广泛分布，而且在富裕国家，如欧洲，也有显著存在。该病导致相当大的发病率，目前的治疗远未达到最佳状态。医疗管理主要采用苯并咪唑类药物，有时会加入了扑尔齐奎因。对甲苯硫咪唑作为抗癌药物的兴趣推动了对新药剂型的研究，以改善生物利用度，并可能减少在体内的药物水平个体间的变异，从而有助于对抗囊性棘球蚴病。已经提供了进一步的证据来支持与含脂食物一起服用阿苯达唑。葛兰素史克公司（GSK）已同意扩大其阿苯达唑捐赠计划，包括棘球蚴病在内。寻找新药物的努力主要集中在天然产物，如精油，以及重用已获准用于其他条件的现有药物。囊性棘球蚴病的医疗治疗仍然备受忽视，近40年来没有新药物问世。我们需要更好地理解如何使用我们已经有的药物，并寻求新的药物。药物重用可能是最佳途径。版权所有©2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. 保留所有权利。

Cystic echinococcosis is a neglected zoonosis for which humans are dead end hosts. It is not only widely distributed in sheep rearing areas of low-income and middle-income countries but also has a significant presence in wealthy countries, for example, in Europe. It results in considerable morbidity, and its current management is far from optimal. Medical management is with a benzimidazole, with the addition of praziquantel under some circumstances.Interest in mebendazole as an anticancer drug has stimulated research into new drug formulations to improve bioavailability and possibly reduce inter-individual variability in in-vivo drug levels, which may help its activity against cystic echinococcosis. Further evidence to support administration of albendazole with a fatty meal has been provided. GlaxoSmithKilne (GSK) has agreed to extend its albendazole donation programme to include echinococcosis. The search for new drugs has focussed on natural products, such as essential oils and on repurposing of existing drugs licensed for human use against other conditions.The medical treatment of cystic echinococcosis remains sorely neglected, with no new drugs for almost 40 years. We need a better understanding of how to use the drugs we do have, whilst seeking new ones. Drug repurposing may be the best pathway.Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.