Malaria, known for its global morbidity and mortality, caused by Plasmodium parasites, persists as a significant health challenge in many regions, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. Despite efforts to control malaria, the emergence of antimalarial resistance and complexities associated with the parasite’s life cycle have rendered current treatments less effective. mRNA-based therapeutics have shown promise in managing various infectious diseases, including malaria by eliciting immune response, through encoding specific antigens or proteins, thereby producing protective effects against malaria. This strategy offers substantial advantages, such as quick development, improved flexibility, and enhanced potency. Preclinical models of malaria have showcased the potential of mRNA-based vaccines and treatments. However, addressing concerns regarding stability and delivery challenges, immune response variability, and production scalability is crucial. This review examines the current landscape of mRNA-based therapeutics for malaria, highlighting the advances, challenges, and future directions in this pipeline. We discuss the potential of mRNA-based therapeutics to mitigate the drawbacks of current malaria therapies and offer a broad insight of this burgeoning field. This study aims to ultimately improve global health outcomes through its contribution to the development of novel and effective malaria therapies. By harnessing the full potential of mRNA-based therapeutics, the researchers may uncover new approaches to mitigate and control malaria.
Enyi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.