New Malaria Treatments Offer Hope in the Fight Against the Disease
Researchers have made significant progress in the development of new treatments for malaria, a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. According to a recent study, two new approaches have shown promise in combating the growing resistance to medication. The first approach involves a new class of drugs, while the second approach combines four widely available malaria drugs into a single dose.
Novartis’ New Treatment: GanLum
Novartis, a Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company, has released the results of a study on its experimental drug, GanLum. The study, which was conducted in 12 African countries, found that GanLum works well against the mosquito-borne parasite that causes malaria and seems to block its spread. GanLum is a combination of a new drug, ganaplacide, and an existing long-acting medication, lumefantrine.
According to Dr. David Sullivan, a malaria expert at Johns Hopkins University, the parasite that causes malaria is developing resistance to existing drugs, making it essential to develop new treatments. “The ice is thinning,” Sullivan said. “It hasn’t given way, but we’re concerned.” GanLum has been given as a packet of tiny powder-like granules, once daily for three days, and has shown a cure rate of better than 97%.
A Single-Dose Treatment
In an effort to offer a one-time treatment, another team of researchers conducted an experiment in West Africa, where they found that a single dose of four widely available malaria drugs proved to be an effective cure. The study, led by Dr. Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma, treated over 1,000 patients, half of whom were younger than 10, who were sick with malaria but not suffering life-threatening symptoms. The results showed that 93% of patients who received the one-time treatment were free of parasites compared to 90% who received the standard three-day course.
The two studies were presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference in Toronto. While the results are promising, experts note that resistance is already established to some components of the treatment, meaning it likely will prove to be “a short-term fix.” Dr. Andrea Bosman, a malaria expert with the World Health Organization, said that the new treatment approaches can complement other efforts against malaria, including treated mosquito bed nets and new vaccines.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the promising news, funding from the United States and some other sources is being cut, which could impact the ability of scientists to monitor drug resistance or make prevention and treatments available to people who need them. “The eyes on the problem are going to be blinded” as aid to malaria-stricken countries declines, said Bosman.
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