New antidote rapidly clears carbon monoxide from blood
New engineered protein clears CO from blood in minutes, promising safer treatment for poisoning.
Why it matters
- Current CO poisoning treatment is slow and has health risks.
- New treatment could be faster and safer, reducing organ damage and deaths.
By the numbers
- 50,000 annual emergency visits and 1,500 deaths in the US due to CO poisoning.
- In mice, half the CO was cleared in less than a minute.
The big picture
- Potential to revolutionize CO poisoning treatment.
- Could be administered by first responders.
What they're saying
- Could be a game-changer, akin to an EpiPen or Narcan.
- Skepticism about practical administration.
Caveats
- Preliminary research; more studies needed.
- Real-world effectiveness needs evaluation.
What’s next
- Further pre-clinical studies for safety and dosing.
- Pathway to human trials.