Measuring resurgence | New treatments in sight

The resurgence of measles relaunches research on a treatment of this disease. Nevertheless, At least two American companies have launched research on the subject and university researchers are interested in it.

Posted at 5:00 a.m.

“I decided to work on measles because we do not know how the vaccine protects against this disease. Consequently, ” explains Erica Ollmann, biologist and director of the Immunology Institute La Jolla, a San Diego research NGO. Therefore, “It is a fundamental flaw in our understanding of measles. Therefore, »»

After three years of research. In addition, M^me Ollmann has discovered a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies measuring resurgence | new treatments that are effective against measles in test tubes and in animal models. However, She is looking for funds to start clinical studies in humans.

Last spring, invivyd and Saravir Biopharma biotechnology companies have announced research projects on anti -rourgeole monoclonal antibodies.

Brian Ward, infectiousologist of the McGill University Health Center, is a circumspect in the face of this work. Furthermore, “There are people who push spare solutions to vaccines, especially in the United States,” he said. Therefore, But vaccines are really the best avenue, they work very well. For example, »»

He also notes that most current efforts relate to “monoclonal antibodies”. Meanwhile, very expensive drugs that have been disappointing in the face of several diseases, including the COVVI-19.

M^me Ollmann thinks that monoclonal antibodies will be effective against measles. measuring resurgence | new treatments Meanwhile, “It is a very stable virus because it needs to attach itself to several types of cells,” she said. In addition, That’s why it didn’t work with COVVI-19, for example. The virus often had mutations, so monoclonal antibodies no longer worked, it would have been necessary to find others. »»

Regarding the cost of monoclonal antibodies. the D^re Ollman agrees with the D^r Ward that vaccination “offers the best cost-effectiveness for public health”. “But some people, pregnant women and immunosupprified, for example, cannot be vaccinated. And we make the second dose at 5 years on average, so children do not have full protection before. If these people have measles. do we prefer to spend a few hundred dollars on monoclonal antibodies, or thousands of dollars in hospital? There are also deaths with measles. »»

Measuring resurgence | new treatments

Preclinical studies. measuring resurgence | new treatments vast database

Richard Plemper, microbiologist at the State University of Georgia, adds that vaccination skepticism is increasingly widespread. “We must obviously work to strengthen the social acceptability of vaccines. but it is prudent to work on treatments,” says the D^r Plemper, who has been working on an antiviral against the measles virus since 2020.

The work of the D^r Plemper illustrates the recent interest in the processing for measles. “We were looking for an antiviral for a Painfluenza which is a problem for grafted and immunosupprima. When we found it, we tested it for other viruses. It is a routine stage. He operated in particular for measles. but in 2020, there was not much interest because the disease was very well controlled by vaccination. When there started there in the United States, we have launched the preclinical studies of this measuring resurgence | new treatments measles antiviral. »»

He hopes to be able to launch clinical studies in 2026 or 2027.

At Vanderbilt University. in Tennessee, immunologist James Crowe leads two vast projects: a database of billions of human antibodies, and an effective monoclonal antibody identification project against 100 infectious diseases, including measles.

“Three years ago. we decided to prioritize research on measles, given the increasingly frequent hatching in the United States,” said the D^r Crowe. We have currently completed preclinical studies for our monoclonal antibodies against measles. Additionally, We must now find 15 to 25 million US to launch clinical trials in humans. »»

In addition to this effort, the Tennessee researcher works to lower the production costs of monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, “The lens would be US $ 100 per dose, but the Bill measuring resurgence | new treatments and Melinda Gates Foundation aims for US $ 1 per dose. »»

Work is also underway so that monoclonal antibodies are offered in the form of a nasal inhaler. vaporizer, rather than only by injection.

Read the article “measles: a large number of cases in Canada. Quebec spared” Consult the most recent weekly measles and rubella monitoring in Canada