US researchers develop new antibody that shows promise against malaria infection

A novel monoclonal antibody developed by US researchers has shown promise against malaria infection in an early clinical trialResearchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicines Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health CVD found that the antibody MAM01 provided dosedependent full protection against the malaria parasite with minimal side effectsThis new monoclonal antibody could transform how we prevent malaria in young children and pregnant women said lead author Kirsten E Lyke Professor of Medicine at the varsityrsquos School of MedicineUnlike vaccines that may require multiple doses or boosters a single injection of a longacting antibody could provide immediate monthslong protection Its a fundamentally different way to stop infection before it starts she added about the researchThe malaria disease remains one of the leading causes of death among children in subSaharan Africa claiming more than 600000 lives each year worldwide with limited efficacy in currently available treatments and vaccines for itMonoclonal antibodies mAbs are laboratorymade protein clones that mimic the bodys natural immune defencesThe study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases showed that MAM01 targets a highly conserved region of the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein a protein on the parasites outer surface to block infection before it reaches the bloodstreamThe Phase 1 doubleblind placebocontrolled trial enrolled 38 healthy adults aged 18 to 50 with no prior malaria exposureParticipants received one dose of MAM01 or a placebo and were then exposed to mosquitoes carrying malaria several months after dosing This was done under carefully controlled conditions known as a challenge studyAfter the malaria challenge none of the participants who received the highest dose of the monoclonal antibody developed infection compared to all the participants in the placebo group No treatmentrelated serious adverse events were observedThese early results suggest that this monoclonal antibody can provide reliable protection against malaria which continues to disproportionately affect children who live in low and middleincome countries said coauthor Matthew B Laurens Professor of PaediatricsThis is an important proofofconcept for the field and a step forward for health equity he notedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever