ISM Projects
ISM spearheads and partners in various research projects dedicated to enhancing disease surveillance, control measures, and public health interventions. These initiatives primarily target neglected tropical diseases like onchocerciasis, utilizing innovative approaches to improve disease monitoring, treatment efficacy, and health policy formulation. Through active engagement in national and international programs, ISM plays a key role in strengthening healthcare systems and driving scientific progress. Its commitment to research excellence continues to foster impactful solutions for global health challenges.
Safety and efficacy of Moxidectin for loa loa
In 2018, the US FDA approved Moxidectin as a new drug against onchocerciasis. This drug represents a good alternative to ivermectin (current drug used for routine preventive chemotherapy) to accelerate the elimination of onchocerciasis as it has a stronger and longer reduction of microfilaridermia. However, its safety in Loa loa infection was yet to be assessed. This trial has demonstrated that low dose Moxidectin (2mg) is safe in Loa loa infected individuals.
Imatinib trial for the treatment of Loa loa
This project modelled the short-term microfilaricidal kinetics of imatinib against Loa loa and assessed the safety of single dose (200 mg, 400 mg and 600 mg) of imatinib in Loa loa.
Rapid identification of high levels of Loa loa
This project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aimed to develop and test a strategy to extend mass drug treatment for hypo-endemic onchocerciasis to areas endemic for loiasis. Thanks to the Test and Not Treat strategy, over 100,000 people were successfully tested and treated in the Okola and Soa Health Districts in Centre Region, Cameroon without any case of serious adverse event, demonstrating that onchocerciasis can be eliminated wherever endemic.
Vector genomic surveillance zones in Cameroon
This project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aim to develop a geospatially explicit mapping tool to predict and prioritize onchocerciasis-endemic transmission zones for intervention and to predict and investigate hotspots of persistent transmission. Prelimlinary results have identified hotspots for transmission of onchocerciasis in the Centre and Littoral Regions despite ~30 years of mass treatments.
Impact of preventive chemotherapies on NTDs
Funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 3 (EDCTP3) through the Central Africa Network on Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria 3 (CANTAM3), the findings of this study revealed hotspots for transmission of onchocerciasis after ~3 decades of preventive chemotherapies (PCT), and higher onchocerciasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis infection rates among children aged <5 and not eligible to major PCT.
Main contact person
Based in Yaounde, the Higher Institute for Scientific and Medical Research (ISM) is a not-for-profit association under the Cameroon law, working in the field of scientific and medical research and social sciences. Created in 2005 by Joseph KAMGNO, Professor of Epidemiology and Head of the Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMSB) at the University of Yaounde I, ISM is dedicated to the fight against disease through biomedical research.
Prof. Joseph KAMGNO, CEO of ISM, serves as the principal contact for the project, overseeing the institution’s research contributions and strategic engagement within the consortium.
About Us
The EMINENCE project is dedicated to eliminating onchocerciasis in Africa through innovative clinical research and the evaluation of moxidectin to enhance disease control and accelerate eradication efforts.
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