Ebola Fever Therapeutics: Current Treatment Options and Potential Therapies
Ebola Fever Therapeutics formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%.
Currently Available Treatments
Supportive Care: As there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments available for Ebola virus disease, treatment is currently limited to supportive care to increase the patient’s chances of survival. Such care includes balancing fluids and electrolytes, maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, treating other infections if they occur. People severely affected by EVD are typically hospitalized and cared for in isolation.
Experimental Ebola Fever Therapeutics: Several drugs and drug combinations that are able to neutralize Ebola virus in cell cultures or in animal models are being evaluated for the treatment of Ebola virus disease in humans during outbreaks. However, none of these treatments are currently approved as safe and effective.
ZMapp : ZMapp is a cocktail of three monoclonal antibodies developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical. It was one of the first experimental therapies tried during the 2013-2016 outbreak. Studies in non-human primates found that ZMapp, when given quickly after infection, can protect animals from dying. However, supplies were limited during the outbreak.
Remdesivir : Remdesivir, an antiviral drug developed by Gilead originally to treat Ebola, has shown promising results when given early in the course of EVD infection. It works by interfering with the virus’s ability to replicate. Clinical trials and compassionate use in some patients during the 2018 outbreak showed promising results, though definitive evidence of effectiveness is still needed.
BRII-196 and BRII-198 : BRII-196 and BRII-198 are two other antibody-based treatments for Ebola. These drug candidates were developed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in collaboration with Mapp Biopharmaceutical and Johnson & Johnson. Development and testing are ongoing.
TKM-Ebola : TKM-Ebola is an antiviral therapeutic aimed at blocking Ebola virus replication and is being developed by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation. It consists of an RNAi trigger and delivery technologies and works by targeting the specific genes needed for viral replication. Testing is still ongoing.
Potential New Therapies : Several other treatment approaches are under investigation as potential novel therapies for EVD in humans:
CRISPR Gene Editing : Researchers are exploring the use of CRISPR gene-editing technology to potentially cure Ebola infection. CRISPR is targeted to disrupt specific genes necessary for Ebola virus replication. More research is needed but this approach shows promise.
Antibody Cocktails : Developing antibody cocktails targeting multiple sites on the Ebola virus to prevent resistance is another approach being explored. Combinations aim to enhance protective effects seen with single antibodies.
Small Molecule Inhibitors : Researchers are studying a number of small molecule inhibitors that may be able to block steps in the Ebola virus life cycle, such as viral entry or release from infected cells. Further testing is required to identify effective candidates.
mRNA Vaccines : Developing mRNA vaccines against Ebola could elicit protective immune responses more rapidly than traditional vaccines. They have potential for both treatment and prevention of disease. Early studies in animals have been promising.
While supportive care remains the mainstay of Ebola Fever Therapeutics currently, several experimental therapies are under evaluation for safety and efficacy in humans. New treatment approaches involving gene editing, antibody cocktails, small molecules and vaccines continue to offer promise. With ongoing research, the goal is to develop approved therapies that can significantly impact survival in those affected by this severe viral infection.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
