CSIR began anti-leprosy drug trial

Under this one particular formulation, called “Mycobacterium w (Mw)”, a heat-killed bacteria will be tried on different COVID-19 patients.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

CSIR has been granted approval to conduct the trial from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). The trial has begun.

CSIR is also trying phytopharmaceuticals and approaching the Drug Controller General of India for approval. Phytopharmaceuticals are some extracts from plants.

M. w is an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium w, a non-pathogenic, rapidly growing, atypical mycobacterium, with non-specific immunopotentiating properties.

In addition to sharing a number of common B and T cell determinants with Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mw also shares an immunogenic determinant with prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that heat-killed Mw can induce significant T-cell responses. It may induce host T-cell responses against tumor cells expressing PSA.