Ebola future or investigational therapies
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Michael Maddaleni, B.S.
Overview
Although there is no effective human vaccine against Ebola currently available, there are promising results for antisense prevention therapies targeting the Ebola virus in monkey studies. Administration of an inhibitor of coagulation (rNAPc2) has demonstrated some benefit in monkey studies. There are non-conclusive results in human survivors from post-exposure vaccination, passive immunization with blood or serum or with recombinant human monoclonal antibodies.
Investigational Therapies
ZMapp
ZMapp is an experimental drug composed of 3 humanized monoclonal antibodies currently being investigated for the treatment of Ebola virus disease. The component monoclonal antibodies are recombinantly manufactured in a variety of tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana). It has not yet been tested in humans for safety or effectiveness. Zmapp was studied in a preclinical study involving rhesus macaques exposed to the virus. is able to rescue 100% of rhesus macaques when treatment is initiated up to 5 days post-challenge. High fever, viraemia and abnormalities in blood count and blood chemistry were evident in many animals before ZMapp intervention. Advanced disease, as indicated by elevated liver enzymes, mucosal haemorrhages and generalized petechia could be reversed, leading to full recovery. ELISA and neutralizing antibody assays indicate that ZMapp is cross-reactive with the Guinean variant of Ebola.