RAS question
What protection rate did the MAM01 monoclonal antibody achieve against malaria at its highest dose?
Correct answer: (B) 100%.
At its highest tested dose, MAM01 achieved 100% protection against malaria, with none of the three participants in the 40 mg/kg intravenous group developing parasitaemia after controlled human malaria infection.
Explanation
MAM01 is a monoclonal antibody studied for malaria prevention by targeting the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein, with the aim of neutralising the parasite before bloodstream entry. In the phase 1 dose-escalation trial cited by PubMed, participants received MAM01 at different doses and then underwent controlled human malaria infection. The highest tested intravenous dose was 40 mg/kg. None of the three participants in that highest-dose group developed parasitaemia after challenge. Since all three avoided detectable infection in that group, the protection rate at the highest dose was 100%.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 75% understates the highest-dose outcome, because the PubMed record says none of the three participants in the 40 mg/kg intravenous group developed parasitaemia.
- (C) 85% is not supported by the trial result for the highest dose, where zero of three participants developed parasitaemia after controlled human malaria infection.
- (D) 95% is close to complete protection but still conflicts with no parasitaemia among the three participants in the highest-dose group.
Concept
Science & Technology coverage includes biotechnology in disease prevention, especially monoclonal antibodies and clinical-trial efficacy. RAS frequently tests exact protection rates, dose groups, and trial outcomes from biomedical advances.