Malaria is a life-threatening illness spread through mosquitos. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2023 there were over 200 million cases of Malaria with 76% of all deaths being children under 5-years-old within the WHO African Region. Fortunately, the disease mainly spreads through parasites. Although uncommon, contaminated needles and blood transfusions can transmit malaria between patients. Symptom severity can range from mild to life-threatening. Mild symptoms include fever, chills, and headache. Alternatively, life-threatening symptoms include seizures, confusion, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. Those at increased risk include children, women that are pregnant, travelers, and those with HIV or AIDS.
There are preventative measures and different treatments for Malaria; however, malaria-transmitting parasites have developed resistance against medications. Additionally, disease persistence and increased prevalence highlights the need for improved therapeutic solutions. Other limitations to malaria treatment include short half-life, adverse effects, cost, and accessibility. Many scientists are working to mainstream effective therapies to improve treatment outcomes and provide accessibility to patients.
A recent article in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, by Dr. Gregory Ippolito and others, describes a new malaria vaccine that elicits strong immunity and improves treatment efficacy. Ippolito is a nationally recognized scientist with expertise in antibody and B cell biology. Ippolito is an Associate Professor at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute after working at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). His work focuses on antibody structure, function, repertoire, and diversity. Specifically, he uses various laboratory techniques to profile human antibody response and how it can mediate the immune system.
Various therapies work to stimulate immune cells and target diseases as well as other pathogens. Effective therapies generate strong immune responses that quickly clear infection. Therefore, Ippolito and his team worked to evaluate a malaria vaccine that elicits a strong immune response and mimics natural immunity. The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine was found to confer strong protection against malaria. This vaccine is just one of two recommended by the WHO as a preventative measure for children. Specifically, the vaccine mimics parts of the proteins that encase the malaria parasite. In response, the immune system targets those proteins, which are critical in the early stage of parasite development. Consequently, the vaccine prevents the growth of parasites before they can mature and circulate throughout the body. Ippolito and his team completed the an antibody analysis of the vaccine during its first human clinical trials when Ippolito was at UT Austin.
In this study antibody response throughout the entire body was evaluated through next generation sequencing, computational analysis, and mass spectrometry. These various techniques helped physicians identify specific antibodies generated after patients with malaria were vaccinated. As a result, the antibodies elicited from the vaccine were similar to the antibodies generated in a healthy patient. This discovery indicates that not only does the vaccine work but has the potential to safely and effectively treat patients with malaria. Researchers also noted that the results displayed long-lasting effects providing disease protection. Overall, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine provides effective therapy and safe preventative treatment options that can improve quality of life in patients.
Article, Journal of Experimental Medicine, Gregory Ippolito, Texas Biomedical Research Institute