澳大利亚WEHI研究所的科学家开发了一种实验性疟疾疫苗，已在小鼠身上成功测试[1]。该疫苗采用化学药物将疟疾寄生虫转变为疫苗，允许寄生虫在肝脏后期阶段被杀死，从而激发身体免疫反应而不引起感染[1]。研究团队计划很快开始临床试验[1]。
这一发现针对现有疟疾防控的核心难题。疟疾每年造成至少610,000人死亡[1]，而现有疫苗有效率仅为40-75%，需多次接种且免疫衰退快[1]。该研究所副教授贾斯汀·博迪表示："你可以把它理解为使用一种药物，将传播疟疾的蚊虫叮咬转化为接种事件"[1]。
在动物试验中取得了显著成效。小鼠在接种疫苗后近两年内被10只疟蚊叮咬时仍保持免疫力[1]。该研究基于2017年发现的疟疾蛋白质plasmepsin IX和X对寄生虫逃出肝细胞至关重要这一发现[1]，相关成果已发表在《科学》杂志上[1]。
Scientists at Australia's WEHI Institute have developed an experimental malaria vaccine that successfully converts the parasite itself into a vaccine using a chemical drug, potentially reshaping how the disease is prevented.[1] The vaccine works by allowing the malaria parasite to reach a later stage in the liver before being killed, thereby triggering an immune response without causing infection.[1] According to Associate Professor Justin Boddey, "You could think of it as using a drug to convert mosquito bites that spread malaria into vaccination events."[1]
The breakthrough addresses a critical global health challenge, as malaria causes at least 610,000 deaths annually.[1] Current vaccines have effectiveness rates of only 40 to 75 percent, require multiple doses, and lose efficacy quickly.[1] In preclinical trials, mice vaccinated with the new approach maintained immunity for nearly two years even when exposed to mosquito bites from ten malaria-carrying insects.[1] The research, published in the journal Science, builds on a 2017 discovery that the proteins plasmepsin IX and X are essential for the parasite to escape liver cells.[1] The research team plans to begin clinical trials in the near future.[1]