The drug, at this point, remains untested in humans. A study, published in Nature at the end of August, though, showed the ZMapp to be exceedingly effective in macaques, the animal model most closely matching human anatomy and physiology. And a CNN report on the treatment of Kent Brantly, a missionary doctor infected with Ebola while working in Liberia, suggests the therapy had a profound impact on his recovery. Brantly, after his condition severely worsened, was given a single dose of the drug, and, hours later, had reproved remarkably, gaining strength to even shower himself the next day.
The next phase of traditional drug development would put ZMapp in healthy young men to screen for major side effects. Should that round succeed, a phase II trial involving those infected with the disease would begin, in order to determine effectiveness and optimal dosing. Because of the severity of the outbreak, some of those closest to the response argue the process should advance directly to phase II. Given the rapid progression of Ebola virus disease, such a trial could be conducted remarkably quickly.
If the political will existed, a hospital ship could arrive off the coast of West Africa within weeks, bringing with it the necessary equipment to carefully monitor patients’ responses to the drug. And, if additional AMP/Blue Angel platforms were put in motion, enough ZMapp to treat all of those likely to become infected might even be available before the yearend.
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