Researchers have found a new chemical compound called MED6-189 that effectively fights parasites resistant to common malaria drugs. MED6-189 is robust and works uniquely, making it a valuable option for future malaria treatments.
This groundbreaking study, which was published in the esteemed journal Science and supported by the National Institutes of Health, marks a significant step forward in the fight against malaria. Despite progress in prevention and treatment, the disease still poses a significant health risk globally.
According to Choukri Ben Mamoun, a Yale School of Medicine professor, one major problem in fighting malaria is that the parasite has become resistant to many common antimalarial drugs. He emphasizes the need for better treatment strategies.
Researchers from Yale and two universities in California worked together to create MED6-189, a new drug designed to be effective against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant malaria. This project showcases a collaborative effort, combining different expertise to find new antimalarial solutions.
Researchers found that MED6-189 can stop Plasmodium falciparum, which causes severe malaria to grow in the blood and change into a form that can be spread. This is important because it lowers the chances of the parasite becoming resistant to the drug.
According to Ben Mamoun, making the parasite resistant would require changing many genes, which is unlikely. This means MED6-189 could work well without needing extra drugs, reducing the risk of side effects. Amy Bei and Ben Mamoun emphasize the need to keep improving this type of drug and find new antimalarial treatments.
Researchers have called for teamwork in finding new antimalarial drugs, especially as some malaria treatments are becoming less effective, particularly in Africa, where malaria is a significant health problem. Ben Mamoun added that malaria will continue to be a threat, so creating better treatment methods is essential.
He believes that MED6-189 could work like a combination therapy, using one drug to target the malaria parasite and reduce the chances of the parasite becoming resistant.
Journal reference:
- Z. Chahine S. Abel, T. Hollin, et al., A kalihinol analog disrupts apicoplast function and vesicular trafficking in P. falciparum malaria. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.adm7966.
