New hybrid drug plugs the hole in malaria drug resistance
Monday, April 11, 2016 - 18:40
in Health & Medicine
The World Health Organization recommends treating malaria with artemisinin combination therapy (ACT), consisting of artemisinin and another drug. However, malaria resistance to ACT has already started emerging in Southeast Asia. Scientists have now developed a novel hybrid drug that combines a killing factor with an agent that reverses drug resistance. The hybrid drug is very effective against chloroquine- and artemisinin-resistant malaria, presenting a new avenue for treating resistant malaria.