Human Antibody That Neutralizes Dengue Virus Identified
Researchers have identified a human antibody capable of neutralizing and killing the dengue virus within two hours. This discovery may lead to a new therapeutic approach for dengue infections.
A research team from Duke-NUS Medical School, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore and DSO National Laboratories, has identified a human antibody that can neutralize and destroy the dengue virus in just two hours. The team has also developed a method for producing this antibody in large quantities, potentially paving the way for a new treatment for patients infected with dengue.
The discovery resulted from a two-year study of cell lines from patients who had recovered from dengue infections. The researchers identified a recombinant antibody that strongly binds to a specific part of the dengue virus, inhibiting its ability to infect other cells. This antibody destroys the virus more rapidly than existing compounds and has demonstrated increased survival rates in a mouse model infected with the virus.
The World Health Organization estimates 50–100 million dengue infections occur globally each year. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments, with prevention primarily relying on vector control. This newly identified antibody specifically targets DENV1, a serotype responsible for up to 50% of dengue cases in Singapore and other Southeast Asian nations.
The research team plans to initiate clinical trials within the next 12–16 months. The long-term goal is to develop a therapy based on this human antibody for DENV1 infections and to subsequently identify antibodies effective against the other three dengue serotypes.