A new mango-flavored tablet, designed to combat intestinal worms, demonstrates significant potential according to recent clinical trials. Researchers highlight that this innovative pill incorporates a combination of two established anti-parasitic medications, enhancing its effectiveness in tackling soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), which impact approximately 1.5 billion people globally.
Mango-Flavored Pill Shows Promise in Treating Intestinal Worms
Mango-Flavored Pill Shows Promise in Treating Intestinal Worms
Innovative tablet could transform the fight against parasitic infections affecting billions worldwide.
The ongoing study, named "ALIVE," recently published in The Lancet, emphasizes the necessity of addressing these infections, particularly in children who are disproportionately affected and often suffer from severe gastrointestinal issues, malnutrition, and anemia. Transmission usually occurs through contaminated food or water, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation.
The formulation could play a crucial role in overcoming challenges posed by emerging drug resistance, with researchers suggesting that its fixed-dose regimen—available either as one pill or in three tablets over consecutive days—ensures ease of administration during mass treatment efforts. Prof. Jose Muñoz, project leader, states that combining two drugs with varied modes of action could prevent parasites from becoming resistant.
Clinical trials conducted with 1,001 children aged between 5-18 in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique indicated the pill's heightened efficacy when paired with ivermectin. Nevertheless, the researchers acknowledged limitations in their study, particularly concerning effectiveness against threadworm and various age demographics.
In the meantime, further trial recruitment is underway, aiming to involve 20,000 individuals in Kenya and Ghana. Dr. Stella Kepha from the Kenya Medical Research Institute notes the pill's substantial potential, though she emphasizes that considerable work remains to ensure broader treatment accessibility.
As findings are evaluated by European and African regulatory bodies, anticipated decisions are slated for early 2025. The new development holds promise in achieving the World Health Organization's goals for disease elimination in the most affected regions.
The formulation could play a crucial role in overcoming challenges posed by emerging drug resistance, with researchers suggesting that its fixed-dose regimen—available either as one pill or in three tablets over consecutive days—ensures ease of administration during mass treatment efforts. Prof. Jose Muñoz, project leader, states that combining two drugs with varied modes of action could prevent parasites from becoming resistant.
Clinical trials conducted with 1,001 children aged between 5-18 in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique indicated the pill's heightened efficacy when paired with ivermectin. Nevertheless, the researchers acknowledged limitations in their study, particularly concerning effectiveness against threadworm and various age demographics.
In the meantime, further trial recruitment is underway, aiming to involve 20,000 individuals in Kenya and Ghana. Dr. Stella Kepha from the Kenya Medical Research Institute notes the pill's substantial potential, though she emphasizes that considerable work remains to ensure broader treatment accessibility.
As findings are evaluated by European and African regulatory bodies, anticipated decisions are slated for early 2025. The new development holds promise in achieving the World Health Organization's goals for disease elimination in the most affected regions.
