Previous studies have shown that siRNAs targeting the Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) RNA polymerase L protein formulated in stable nucleic acid-lipid particles (SNALPs) completely protected guinea pigs when administered shortly after a lethal ZEBOV challenge. In the current study, investigators at Boston University School of Medicine (MA, USA) sought to extend this research to a primate model of the human disease.

They reported in the May 29, 2010, online edition of the journal the Lancet that treatment with L protein SNALPs given 30 minutes after challenge with ZEBOV and followed by boosters on each of the following six days completely protected a group of four rhesus monkeys. A second group of three animals received treatment for only four days. Of this group, two were protected while one animal died.

The seven-day treatment regimen was well tolerated by the monkeys with only minor changes in liver enzymes that might have been related to viral infection.

"We believe this work justifies the immediate development of Ebola SNALP as a countermeasure to treat Ebola infected patients, either in outbreaks or accidental laboratory exposures,” said first author Dr. Thomas W. Geisbert, professor of microbiology at the Boston University School of Medicine.

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