RH5.1/Matrix-M blood-stage malaria vaccine Poised to become an important secondary line of defense for high-risk populations malaria Infection, especially in areas where pre-erythrocytic vaccines are already in use. According to Stephanie Kurdach, infectious disease analyst at GlobalData, this new vaccine could significantly enhance the global fight against malaria.

Commenting on the findings of the recent Phase IIb trial, Kurdach said, “RH5.1/Matrix-M has the potential to be the first blood-stage malaria vaccine Brought to market. This could be a much-needed addition to the currently available malaria vaccines and provide an important second line of defense for those who are most at risk of contracting malaria.

The trial results, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, showed that RH5.1/Matrix-M is safe, highly immunogenic and effective in fighting malaria. Conducted as a double-blind, randomized, controlled Phase IIb study, it involved 361 children aged 5 to 17 months in Burkina Faso and the UK.

This vaccine targets the blood stage of malaria infection, which is when the parasite infects the liver and begins to attack red blood cells, causing clinical symptoms. Complementing pre-erythrocytic vaccines such as GSK’s Moscirix (recommended from 2021) and Serum Institute of India’s R21/Matrix-M (recommended from 2023), Rh5.1/Matrix-M could become a cornerstone. malaria prevention Strategies. Both Moscirix and R21/Matrix-M target the parasite at the sporozoite stage, preventing it from reaching the liver. However, immunity from these vaccines wanes over time, leaving the door open for the parasite to progress to the blood stage.

In the Phase IIb trial, RH5.1/Matrix-M showed 55 percent efficacy against clinical malaria when administered with a delayed third dose. It demonstrated 80 percent efficacy in reducing high levels of malaria parasites in the bloodstream.

Kurdach placed the vaccine in the broader context of ongoing malaria vaccine development: “According to GlobalData, there are 11 other malaria vaccines currently in Phase II development, including pre-erythrocytic and blood-stage vaccines from manufacturers such as BioNTech, GSK, National Are included. Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Vac4All SAS. Currently, no malaria vaccines are in Phase III development or pre-registration.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed the urgency of such vaccines, recording nearly 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths globally in 2023. The majority of cases (94 percent) and deaths (95 percent) occurred in Africa, including children. 76 percent of all malaria-related deaths occur in children under the age of five.

Malaria manifests itself through a variety of symptoms, including:

– High fever, often accompanied by chills and sweat.

– Headache and muscle pain.

– Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

-Fatigue and general weakness.

– Rapid breathing and heart rate.

Jaundice or yellow skin, which results from anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells.

Severe cases of malaria can lead to complications such as cerebral malaria, organ failure, or death. The advent of effective vaccines such as RH5.1/Matrix-M could provide a much-needed lifeline to vulnerable populations, particularly young children in malaria-endemic areas.

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