Modeling of malaria vaccine effectiveness on disease burden and drug resistance in 42 African countries

The role of vaccines in reducing antimicrobial resistance: A review of potential impact of vaccines on AMR and insights across 16 vaccines and pathogens

In 2019, an estimated 4.95 million deaths were linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Vaccines can prevent many of these deaths by averting both drug-sensitive and resistant infections, reducing antibiotic usage, and lowering the likelihood of developing resistance genes. However, their role in mitigating AMR is currently underutilized. This article builds upon previous research that utilizes Vaccine Value Profiles-tools that assess the health, socioeconomic, and societal impact of pathogens-to inform vaccine development. We analyze the effects of 16 pathogens, covered by Vaccine Value Profiles, on AMR, and explore how vaccines could reduce AMR. The article also provides insights into vaccine development and usage. Vaccines are crucial in lessening the impact of infectious diseases and curbing the development of AMR. To fully realize their potential, vaccines must be more prominently featured in the overall strategy to combat AMR. This requires ongoing investment in research and development of new vaccines and the implementation of additional prevention and control measures to address this global threat effectively.

Leveraging malaria vaccines and mRNA technology to tackle the global inequity in pharmaceutical research and production towards disease elimination

Malaria vaccine introduction in endemic countries is a game-changing milestone in the fight against the disease. This article examines the inequity in the global pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing, and trade landscape. The role of inequity in hindering progress towards malaria elimination is explored. The analysis finds that transformational changes are required to create an equity-enabling environment. Addressing the inequity is critical to maximizing the public health impact of vaccines and attaining sustainability. Avenues to catalyze progress by leveraging malaria vaccines and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology are discussed.

Activity of alkoxyamide-based histone deacetylase inhibitors against Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites

There are more than 240 million cases of malaria and 600,000 associated deaths each year, most due to infection with Plasmodium falciparum parasites. While malaria treatment options exist, new drugs with novel modes of action are needed to address malaria parasite drug resistance. Protein lysine deacetylases (termed HDACs) are important epigenetic regulatory enzymes and prospective therapeutic targets for malaria. Here we report the antiplasmodial activity of a panel of 17 hydroxamate zinc binding group HDAC inhibitors with alkoxyamide linkers and different cap groups. The two most potent compounds (4a and 4b) were found to inhibit asexual P. falciparum growth with 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50's) of 0.07 μM and 0.09 μM, respectively, and demonstrated >200-fold more selectivity for P. falciparum parasites versus human neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (NFF). In situ hyperacetylation studies demonstrated that 4a, 4b and analogs caused P. falciparum histone H4 hyperacetylation, suggesting HDAC inhibition, with structure activity relationships providing information relevant to the design of new Plasmodium-specific aliphatic chain hydroxamate HDAC inhibitors.