Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Ebola Virus Infection

In a macaque model, prophylactic treatment with three monoclonal antibodies improved survival when initiated within 48 hours after Ebola virus exposure.

The filoviruses — Ebola (EBOV) and Marburg — are two of the most feared human pathogens because of their high lethality and the lack of effective treatments. In an earlier study, researchers showed that polyclonal, virus-specific IgG prepared from convalescent serum of rhesus macaques that survived challenge with these filoviruses could provide effective postexposure therapy for animals of the same species (JW Infect Dis Mar 21 2012). Investigators in Canada recently identified a combination of three EBOV-specific murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that can protect guinea pigs against lethal EBOV infection; now, they have tested this mAb combination in cynomolgus macaques.

Eight macaques challenged with a lethal dose of EBOV were treated wi…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health