Burkina Faso

Study: New Antibody Treatment Tested for Malaria

NOV 1 2022·Updated NOV 2 2022

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Image credit: abc

The Facts

A new study conducted in the Kalifabougou and Torodo villages of Mali found that a one-time dose of an experimental malaria antibody treatment can protect adults from the disease for at least six months.
DNyuz
With the World Health Organization's (WHO) new malaria vaccine for children requiring four doses and only 30% effective, scientists hope the new lab-made, one-dose antibodies will provide an immediate amount of protection instead of relying on the body's immune system.
The Washington Post
The antibody treatment works by disrupting the life cycle of the disease-causing parasite. Out of 330 people, infections were detected in 20 who got a high dose, 39 who got a low dose, and 86 who got the placebo, with the high and low doses 88% and 75% effective, respectively.
Los Angeles Times
The treatment, developed by the US National Institutes of Health, was administered intravenously, which is harder to inoculate on a large scale. However, it shows a positive outlook on an easier-to-administer shot version currently being tested for all ages.
Health
The antibodies, which target immature parasites before they enter the liver, could last during the several months of a malaria season and may eventually cost as little as $5 per child, per season.
ABC News
Malaria killed more than 620K people in 2020 while sickening 241M — mainly children under five in Africa.
The Washington Post

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

This study is a massive development for millions of Africans — including children and pregnant women — as well as travelers to the continent. The first treatments have already shown profound efficacy, and researchers are now looking into developing shots. This could be a massive breakthrough in providing relief across malaria hot spots.

Medicalxpress

Narrative B

While this news is certainly a cause for celebration, many issues must be dealt with before we can begin thinking about distributing antibodies as an anti-malarial treatment. It still takes too long to administer this drug intravenously, and children still need to be tested. Cautious optimism is warranted, but there's a long way to go.