Can off-patent FDA approved drugs treat neglected liver diseases of the developing world?

By Moses Bility
Backed by Amy Nippert and Cindy Wu
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
BiologyMedicine
Open Access
$31
Raised of $15,000 Goal
1%
Ended on 10/31/14
Campaign Ended
  • $31
    pledged
  • 1%
    funded
  • Finished
    on 10/31/14

About This Project

Liver infectious diseases affects over 500 million people, with major burden in Asia and Africa. During a self-funded research study in Northeast Thailand, I identified a critical inflammatory cell that is highly associated with chronic liver fluke infection and associated diseases including cancer. The goal of this project is to develop effective therapy for liver fluke disease by targeting the critical inflammatory cells using off-patent drugs.

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What is the context of this research?

Liver fluke is endemic in Asia, affecting Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Korea, etc, resulting in a major health burden on those populations. Additionally, due to a low funding priority, liver fluke disease is classify as a neglected disease. Liver fluke disease pathology is mediated by chronic liver inflammation, resulting in liver fibrosis and cancer. Last summer, I did a self-funded short-term research project studying liver diseases in Northeast Thailand at Khon Kaen University and determined a strong association between M2-like macrophage and the severity of liver disease in chronic liver fluke infected patients. I also confirmed this finding in a rodent model of chronic liver fluke infection and disease. Results from this study was recently accepted for publication.

What is the significance of this project?

Liver infectious diseases including liver fluke, chronic hepatitis affects over 500 million people in developing countries in Asia and Africa. The disease burden due to liver infectious pathogens has significant impact on population health and economic productivity of affected regions; this effect is far greater than major global infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDs, which only affects 40 million people. Liver cancer - induced by liver infectious diseases have long been a leading cause for morbidity and mortality in Asia. Current therapies that target liver fluke have minimal effect on the liver disease. This project seeks to develop a drug that targets pathogenic inflammatory cells in order to attenuate liver disease and also restore effective anti-pathogen immune response.

What are the goals of the project?

I have identified two commercially available, cheap and FDA approved drugs that directly targets M2-like macrophage. My goal is to test these drugs in the rodent model of liver fluke infection and disease to determine if they attenuate or cure liver disease. Results from these studies will guide the selection of candidate drug for human studies.

Funders will be updated on a quarterly basis of progress on the project. Additionally, publications from this work will acknowledge donors and facilitators.

Budget

Approximately 80% of the budget will cover cost associated with the acquisition of laboratory reagents, research animals and drugs for the study. 20% of the budget will cover my travel expanses and cost associated with lodging/food/transportation.

Meet the Team

Moses Bility
Moses Bility

Team Bio

ResearchGate Profile LinkedIn
I'm a Scientist in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The UNC School of Medicine. I develop humanized mouse models for studying human infectious diseases, specifically, chronic hepatitis infection and HIV/AIDs using human stem cells. My research focuses on delineating factors critical for pathogen persistence and pathology in human infectious diseases. I recently completed a self-funded short-term research study at Khon Kaen University in Northeast Thailand, where I examined the pathogenesis of liver fluke infection. I (Far left) will complete this research project in Dr. Sirpa (Second from far left) laboratory in Thailand. I have published over a dozen papers in major research journals. My interests in neglected diseases that affects developing countries, stems from my childhood in Liberia. In addition to my career as a researcher, I'm also a Medical Plans Officer in the US Army Reserve with focus on Chemical and Biological defense.

Lab Notes

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Press and Media

New York Times Article

Project Backers

  • 2Backers
  • 1%Funded
  • $31Total Donations
  • $15.50Average Donation