Approved Drug Renders Human Blood Toxic to Malaria Mosquitoes

Recent research has revealed that Nitisinon, a drug approved for treating a rare metabolic disorder, can make human blood lethal to malaria-carrying mosquitoes. This finding, published by an international team of researchers with contributions from Swiss scientists, offers a novel approach to combating malaria, a disease that continues to pose significant health challenges worldwide.

Nitisinon works by inhibiting an enzyme essential for mosquito blood digestion. In experiments, human blood treated with this compound was lethal to both young and adult malaria mosquitoes, including those resistant to conventional insecticides. The studies specifically targeted the Anopheles gambiae mosquito, which is the primary vector for malaria in various African nations.

Despite its promising effectiveness against mosquitoes, the high cost of Nitisinon poses a significant barrier. Treatments can reach up to $380,000 annually, which raises concerns about accessibility for patients with the metabolic disorder it is initially designed to treat. However, the researchers suggest that repurposing Nitisinon for mosquito control could potentially lower its overall cost and improve availability for those suffering from the rare disease.

The research team plans to conduct further studies to determine the most effective dosages of Nitisinon for practical applications in malaria vector control. As of now, the drug is approved in Switzerland for treating Tyrosinemia Type 1, a severe metabolic disorder.

This innovative approach not only highlights the potential to address malaria transmission more effectively but also opens discussions about the dual use of existing medications in public health strategies. The collaboration among international scientists underscores the global effort to find sustainable solutions to combat malaria and its devastating effects on communities.