Improving single-dose tafenoquine to prevent relapses of vivax malaria
Optimizing the dose of tafenoquine for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Southeast Asia
This project aims to find the best single-dose amount of tafenoquine to prevent relapses of Plasmodium vivax malaria in people in Southeast Asia, including children and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oxford NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oxford, United Kingdom) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176136 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Relapsing Plasmodium vivax malaria causes much of the illness in Southeast Asia, and the currently recommended single dose of tafenoquine often fails to stop repeat infections. The team will re-analyze individual participant data from past large trials and conduct dose-finding work in the region to test higher weight-based tafenoquine doses (up to about 14 mg/kg) that have been tolerated before. Everyone will be tested for G6PD activity because tafenoquine can cause dangerous anemia in people with G6PD deficiency, and the research focuses on people with adequate G6PD levels. Participants will be followed for months after treatment to see whether higher doses safely reduce the chance of relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults and children in Southeast Asia diagnosed with P. vivax malaria who have normal or near-normal G6PD enzyme activity and are not pregnant would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with G6PD deficiency, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with other contraindications to tafenoquine likely would not be eligible or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, a single, higher tafenoquine dose could prevent most relapses of vivax malaria, lowering illness, clinic visits, and transmission in affected communities.
How similar studies have performed: Large phase 3 trials showed the current 300 mg dose often failed to prevent relapse, but pooled analyses and prior safety data indicate higher weight-based doses may be more effective and have been tolerated in people with sufficient G6PD activity.
Where this research is happening
Oxford, United Kingdom
- University of Oxford — Oxford, United Kingdom (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chu, Cindy S — University of Oxford
- Study coordinator: Chu, Cindy S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.