New Study Brings Us Closer to Developing a Universal Antivenom for Snake Bites
If a venomous snake bites you, the key treatment is antivenom. The catch is that antivenoms are tailored to specific snake species, making it crucial to know which snake bit you. Unfortunately, people often don’t know the snake species, and some snakes lack available antivenoms.
Excitingly, recent research by my colleagues and me has made strides in developing a universal antivenom capable of neutralizing venom from any venomous snake. Our findings, detailed in Science Translational Medicine, showcase a lab-made antibody adept at neutralizing a neurotoxin found in various snake venoms worldwide.
Venomous snakes cause around 138,000 deaths annually, with many survivors enduring life-altering injuries. The current method of producing antivenom involves injecting horses with snake venom, but this century-old approach has drawbacks. It’s not only species-specific but also less potent, necessitating large quantities of antivenom. Moreover, using horse-derived antivenoms can lead to severe side effects due to the foreign antibodies.
Our lab-made antibodies, generated from genetically modified cells, present a potential solution. These antibodies could be “humanized” to reduce adverse reactions. In our research, we focused on neurotoxins, which cause paralysis and death by disrupting nerve signals.
We identified a promising lab-made antibody, 95Mat5, capable of neutralizing neurotoxins from various snakes. When tested on mice injected with lethal doses of venom, 95Mat5 prevented paralysis and death from all venom types. While this is a significant step, a universal antivenom requires multiple antibodies to counter different venom toxins.
The road ahead involves identifying additional antibodies against toxins like haemotoxins and cytotoxins. Once combined with 95Mat5, these antibodies could create a comprehensive antivenom effective against any snake’s venom. However, this process, including safety and effectiveness testing in human trials, will take years.
Challenges remain, such as ensuring stability in warm regions without reliable electricity for refrigeration. Additionally, the cost of lab-made antibodies may pose affordability issues for the often economically disadvantaged snakebite victims. While hopeful, the availability of a universal antivenom for snakebites is still on the horizon.
Also Read: Scientists Create Artificial Antibody to Defeat Lethal Snakebite Venom