Ebola and treatment issues

Apparently, there is not enough experimental therapeutic drug (ZMapp) to go around treating everyone infected by Ebola virus. Of 6 patients who have been treated, 2 have recovered and headed home. The 6 are Dr Brantly, Ms Writebol, Fr. Miguel Pajares (deceased), Dr Zukunis Ireland, Dr Abraham Borbor (deceased) and Dr Aroh Cosmos Izchukwu. While the fate of the other survivors are not known yet, the amazing recovery of Dr Brantly (Just came to know through Samaritan's Purse that Dr Brantly had previous to ZMapp treatment, also received serum from a 14 year old survivor of Ebola) and Ms Writebol, pushed global interest in these therapeutic drugs. It also raised the profile of Canadian scientists (Dr Gary Kobinger) who are involved in developing this treatment. 

The drug that is being used here is a cocktail of 3 antibodies to Zaire Ebola virus surface glycoproteins. These humanized monoclonal antibodies combine the best components of MB-003 aka Mapp [1 mAb from MB-003] and ZMab (Defyrus/PHAC) [2 ZMabs went into ZMapp]

The rate of protection against death when administered within hours after infection is about ~43%, based on animal studies  (Therapeutic intervention of ebola virus infection in rhesus macaques with the mb-003 monoclonal antibody cocktail, Sci Transl Med 21 August 2013). 

Therefore, it is not surprising that in spite of treatment with this drug, there have been mortalities associated with the pathogen. To determine vaccine efficacy, one should be able to obtain data from these treated patients to determine their immune activation profiles, their genetic profiles as well as the amount of drug given to the patients. Was the drug delivered higher in dosage to the American Survivors?

This would not have been possible had it not been for the Department of Defense that provided $10 million to the company that made ZMapp. This highlights the wonderful nature of scientific collaborations, dedication to nature of science, monetary support from the Government and the patience and support of the tax-paying public. Having said this, the DoD should be able to co-ordinate efforts to have data published revealing patient profiles and their immune and genetic status to gauge efficacy of the drug.