A human trial of a treatment for the potentially deadly Hendra virus is about to begin in Brisbane.
The virus, which affects horses and humans, has killed four Australians and at least 60 horses since 1994.
Hendra virus specialist Dr Geoffrey Playford said the human trial would evaluate the safety of an antibody known as m102.4.
The monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-produced molecule that has been carefully engineered to attach to specific defects in a targeted cell — in this case, a Hendra virus cell.
It mimics the antibodies the human body naturally produces as part of the immune system’s response to germs, vaccines and other invaders.
“It’s a pre-formed antibody such as what your immune system may make in response to the infection but it’s given early on so it’s able to directly target and inactivate any virus that may be present,” Dr Playford said.
To date, the antibody has only ever been used on compassionate grounds in 11 people.
“Of these patients, 10 survived but there was insufficient information to determine whether the use of the monoclonal antibody influenced this outcome, which is why further research is required,” Dr Playford said.
“Based on our research to date, we expect the monoclonal antibody to prevent a person becoming infected following contact with an infected horse and to improve their chances of survival if they have already become infected.”
The screening process to recruit 40 suitable volunteers for the human trials began late last month.
“We require health men and women aged between 18 and 50 for the trial and, at this stage, our volunteer numbers are looking good.”
Since 1994, there have been 52 incidents of Hendra virus in horses in Australia with 14 in New South Wales and 38 in Queensland.
To date, there have been seven cases of Hendra virus infection in humans, resulting in four deaths.
All cases of human infection have occurred in Queensland.
Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said testing the monoclonal antibody on humans would see the state move one step closer to protecting those at high risk of developing Hendra virus following contact with an infected horse.
“Right from the beginning this trial has been an excellent example of collaboration in health research,” Dr Young said.
The human trials will be run at the Q-Pharm clinics at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
The results are expected early next year.