NIH: Breakthrough Discovery - A New Class of Antibodies Targets Malaria Parasites
January 04, 2025
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified a novel class of antibodies that binds to a previously untargeted region of the malaria parasite. Published today in Science, the study highlights the potential of these antibodies to revolutionize malaria prevention. The most effective antibody in this class provided significant protection in an animal model, marking a major step forward in combating this life-threatening disease.
Unlike current malaria vaccines, these antibodies target a unique region of the malaria parasite, offering a promising new approach. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by infected mosquitoes, remains a global health crisis. In 2023 alone, the World Health Organization estimated 263 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths, with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the highest burden in African nations, where children are most affected.
Recent advancements, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), have shown promise in reducing malaria's impact. Early clinical trials of anti-malarial mAbs have demonstrated safety and efficacy against P. falciparum in both adults and children. These mAbs work by targeting the sporozoite stage of the parasite—the stage transmitted by mosquitoes—neutralizing it before it can infect the liver and develop into blood-stage parasites that cause severe illness and death.
This new class of antibodies could complement existing tools, paving the way for more comprehensive and effective strategies to combat malaria and save countless lives.
CREDITS: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH