It has been shown that a new vaccine that increases immunity against tuberculosis (TB) is effective in pioneer preclinical trials, as part of a successful collaboration between three leading Australian research institutions.
A study on the effectiveness of the vaccine, published in Ebiomedicin, It was directed by experts from the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute of Sydney University, the Centennial Institute and the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) of the University of Monash.
Currently, the only vaccine approved for TB is the centenable bacillus calmus-growhin (BCG) vaccine, which is widely used despite its effectiveness in which adults are inconsistent.
The study found that the new RNM vaccine succeeded in triggering an immune defense response that helped reduce the number of TB in infected mice. In addition, the researchers discovered that for mice that had received the BCG vaccine, a reinforcement dose of the new RNM vaccine significantly improved their long -term protection.
The vaccine used RNM technology, which is where genetic instructions are used to trigger an immune response in the body, instead of using a weakened or dead version of a virus.
The main author, Professor Jamie Triccas, deputy director of the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, said: “Our findings show that an RNM vaccine can induce powerful and specific immune responses of pathogens that are directed to TB, a disease that has evaded the Effective vaccine development. greater clinical development “.
TB is the main cause of infectious mortality worldwide, responsible for approximately 1.3 million deaths per year, with a particular prevalence in countries such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Pakistan.
Researchers expect the MNA vaccine to be more effective and consistent than the BCG when used in humans. This is because, unlike protein -based vaccines or attenuated live (those that contain a weakened version of a pathogen), RNM vaccines allow rapid adaptation, which makes them an attractive option for efforts global TB control.
Dr. Claudio Couunupas, co-leader of the Centennial Infection and Immunity Center, highlighted the potential impact of the vaccine: “HRNM vaccines offer a scalable, profitable and adaptable platform that can be rapid quickly against infectious diseases. This study It is an important step to demonstrate that ARNM technology is not only for COVID-19, but that it could change the game for bacterial diseases such as The TB “.
Professor Colin Pouton from the University of Monash, a key taxpayer to the study, explained: “The success of RNM vaccines in the COVID-19 pandemic stressed its ability to generate strong immune responses. Our study provides the evidence that this platform It can be exploited for TB, potentially improve the protection and durability of immunity in a way that traditional vaccines cannot “.
After the promising results of the study, the research team is now looking to advance the vaccine to clinical trials.
“Our next objective is to refine the formulation and evaluate its effectiveness in larger models before moving to studies in humans,” said Professor Triccas. “Given the global TB load and the limitations of current vaccines, we believe that this platform could provide a new way to eradicate this disease.”