A Phase 3 trial to test the safety and efficacy of Zyesami and remdesivir for life-threatening cases of COVID-19 has begun enrolling patients. The trial aims to provide additional protection for lung cells and increase treatment options for critically ill patients.
The ACTIV-2 trial is testing SAB-185, a fully-human polyclonal antibody therapeutic candidate for COVID-19. The trial will enroll participants with mild or moderate cases of the disease and evaluate its safety and efficacy.
A new study from the NIH found that MK-4482 treatment significantly decreased virus levels and lung damage in hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2. The treatment was effective when administered before or after infection, suggesting potential for mitigation of high-risk exposures.
The Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR) will conduct studies on influenza-related research areas, including immune responses to vaccination and infection, and zoonotic transmission. The network will also study SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses of pandemic potential.
The NIH is conducting a Phase 2 trial to test the safety and efficacy of an anti-CD14 antibody, IC14, in treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients with low blood oxygen. The study aims to determine if treatment with IC14 decreases recovery time and reduces disease severity.
A recent NIH workshop highlighted the need for further research on post-acute COVID-19, a condition characterized by heterogeneous symptoms and long-term effects. The workshop presented important knowledge gaps in understanding the underlying pathophysiology of PASC.
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people with or at risk for HIV by interfering with treatment and prevention services, and threatening individual health. Accelerated research on interactions between HIV and SARS-CoV-2 is urgently needed to mitigate the dual pandemics.
The NIH is conducting a clinical trial to assess the risk of systemic allergic reactions to the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines in people with mast cell disorders or severe allergies. The study aims to identify potential genetic patterns that may predict who is at most risk for these reactions.
The NIH has started a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of Moderna's COVID-19 variant vaccine, mRNA-1273.351, designed to protect against the B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant. The trial enrolls approximately 210 healthy adult volunteers and aims to assess the reactogenicity and immune response of the vaccine.
Researchers found that CD8+ T cells in recovered COVID-19 patients can recognize virtually all mutations in recent SARS-CoV-2 variants, offering protection against emerging strains. This suggests that vaccination may still be effective against new variants, and booster vaccinations may be needed to maintain immunity.
The AstraZeneca vaccine demonstrated high vaccine efficacy of 78.9% against symptomatic COVID-19 disease, including severe disease or hospitalization. The vaccine also showed no increased risk of thrombotic events or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis among vaccinated participants.
The Systems Biology of Early Atopy study aims to integrate biological, environmental, and genetic data to better understand the origins of allergic diseases in children. The 2,500-family study will examine prenatal and early childhood markers of high risk for food allergy and eczema.
The NIH has awarded grants to support research on bacteriophage therapy, an emerging field that could yield new ways to fight antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Researchers will study the interaction between phages and bacteria to create lasting, re-usable therapeutics.
Researchers from NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a human cerebral organoid model to screen drugs for potential treatment of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a fatal neurodegenerative brain disease. The model has shown promise in reducing disease indicators by 10-fold without causing tissue death.
The ACTIV-3 clinical trial has closed enrollment in two sub-studies, one examining the monoclonal antibody therapy VIR-7831 and another evaluating the combination therapy BRII-196 and BRII-198. The trials were halted due to futility, with no safety concerns reported.
Two monoclonal antibodies targeting the MERS coronavirus spike protein showed promise in a phase 1 clinical trial, being well-tolerated and safe when administered to healthy adults. The study found the experimental antibodies reduced virus levels and tissue damage in lungs.
Researchers at the NIH used bacteriophages to treat mice infected with multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 258, showing promising results in reducing bacterial loads. However, phage resistance was also observed in some cases, highlighting the need for further investigation.
The rise of several significant SARS-CoV-2 variants has sparked concerns about vaccine efficacy and prompted calls for a global approach to combatting the virus. Experts from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases emphasize the need for robust surveillance, tracking, and vaccine deployment worldwide.
A new intranasal influenza vaccine demonstrated a durable immune response in a Phase 1 study, producing higher antibody levels compared to oral vaccination. The vaccine induced mucosal immunity and neutralizing antibodies at 26 weeks after vaccination, with sustained protection lasting up to five years.
A new study by NIH scientists reveals that prion disease affects the eye first, specifically targeting cone photoreceptor cells. The researchers used confocal microscopy to identify prion protein deposits in cones and rods, finding early damage in cilia and ribbon synapses.
The NIH highlights seven COVID-19 vaccines with promising data on safety and efficacy, while acknowledging remaining unknowns. The commentary emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to strongly encourage vaccination, particularly as rare side effects may emerge in large populations.
Scientists discovered that taurine helps the gut recall prior infections and kill invading bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Taurine, found naturally in bile acids, triggers Deltaproteobacteria activity to fight off infections. The study suggests taurine may offer an alternative treatment for bacterial infections.
Researchers at the NIH identified a key protein, McpC, that enables Salmonella to swim straight towards infected cells. This discovery may lead to the development of new antibacterial therapies to combat intestinal infections.
The mRNA-1273 vaccine demonstrated effectiveness in preventing severe COVID-19, with no safety concerns or evidence of enhanced respiratory disease. The trial enrolled over 30,000 participants and showed a significant reduction in symptomatic cases among those who received the vaccine.
The Phase 3 trial of Novavax's NVX-CoV2373 vaccine is being conducted in the US and Mexico, enrolling up to 30,000 adults in two cohorts. The trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the vaccine candidate, which has shown promise in animal tests.
The ACTIV-3 trial, sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), tested LY-CoV555 against placebo in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The trial found that LY-CoV555 did not provide clinical benefit compared to placebo.
A study published in PNAS found that RESTV infects pigs and causes severe respiratory disease, shedding the virus from their upper respiratory tract. The researchers also identified RESTV sequences in pigs in China, highlighting the potential for widespread transmission.
Researchers launching Pediatric Research Immune Network on SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C (PRISM) study to evaluate short- and long-term health outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. The study aims to characterize immunologic pathways associated with different disease presentations and outcomes.
The combination of baricitinib and remdesivir reduced median time to recovery in hospitalized COVID-19 patients from eight days to seven days. Patients who required high-flow oxygen or non-invasive ventilation during their hospitalization showed the largest benefit, with a significant improvement in condition at day 15.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has established four HIV clinical trials networks to advance research on prevention, vaccines, therapeutics, and maternal/adolescent/pediatric treatments. The networks aim to increase efficiency and effectiveness in NIH's HIV clinical trial operations.
A DNA-based vaccine candidate has been found to be effective in protecting cynomolgus macaques from the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. The vaccine generated protective antibodies and prevented signs of disease in infected animals, offering a promising potential treatment for human patients.
Effective early interventions can speed recovery, reduce severe outcomes, and alleviate healthcare demands for patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms. Research is ongoing to repurpose existing antivirals and develop new therapies targeting SARS-CoV-2.
The NIH has launched the ACTIV-5 Big Effect Trial to determine whether certain approved therapies or investigational drugs show promise against COVID-19. The study will enroll adult volunteers hospitalized with COVID-19 at up to 40 US sites and test three investigational treatments against a placebo.
The study aims to examine the effectiveness of combining antiviral remdesivir with a highly concentrated solution of antibodies that neutralize SARS-CoV-2. The treatment is being tested in hospitalized adults with COVID-19 in various countries, with the goal of reducing the risk of serious illness and death.
A Phase 1 trial of an investigational mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has shown that the vaccine is well-tolerated and generates a strong immune response in older adults, with comparable efficacy to younger age groups. The study enrolled 40 healthy volunteers aged 56-71 years, who received two doses of the vaccine.
A study found that over 10% of people with severe COVID-19 have misguided antibodies attacking the immune system, while 3.5% carry genetic mutations impacting immunity. These groups lack effective immune responses crucial for protecting against viruses, leading to life-threatening pneumonia.
A fourth Phase 3 clinical trial has begun enrolling adult volunteers to evaluate the investigational Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. The trial aims to assess the vaccine's ability to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 after a single dose regimen.
An experimental probiotic treatment reduced eczema severity and improved quality of life for children as young as 3 years old. The treatment modified the skin microbiome and increased microbial diversity, reducing Staphylococcus aureus levels and promoting skin repair processes.
The NIAID has established a global network of centers for research in emerging infectious diseases, which will investigate spillover potential and prepare for future outbreaks. The network aims to detect new causes of febrile illnesses, develop reagents and diagnostic assays, and study human immune responses.
Researchers found that two common genetic variations in the KIF3A gene impair skin barrier function, leading to increased water loss and development of atopic dermatitis. Genetic testing could help identify infants at risk, potentially preventing eczema and related allergic diseases.
The investigational vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies in mice, providing protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, mice challenged with the virus after a single dose showed protection against viral replication in the lung, indicating potential efficacy in humans.
The ACTIV-3 clinical trial tests the safety and efficacy of a monoclonal antibody treatment in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The trial aims to enroll approximately 300 volunteers with mild to moderate symptoms, who will receive either an intravenous infusion of LY-CoV555 or a saline placebo infusion.
A Phase 2 clinical trial is testing the safety and efficacy of synthetic monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19. The study aims to reduce the duration of symptoms and increase the proportion of participants with undetectable virus in nasopharyngeal swabs.
An experimental COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated robust immune responses and rapid viral control in the upper and lower airways of rhesus macaques. The vaccine reduced replicating virus in the lungs and upper airway, which could limit disease progression and transmission.
A Phase 3 clinical trial has begun to test the safety and efficacy of the mRNA-1273 vaccine in preventing symptomatic COVID-19. The trial enrolls approximately 30,000 adult volunteers and aims to determine if the vaccine can provide long-lasting protection against the virus.
A new NIH study demonstrates that kidney transplantation between people with HIV can be done safely and effectively. The study found excellent graft survival rates, comparable to those of recipients receiving kidneys from HIV-negative donors, without significant differences in infection or adverse events rates.
The Phase 1 trial of mRNA-1273 vaccine showed neutralizing antibody activity in healthy adults, with high levels observed after two doses. The vaccine was generally well-tolerated, with side effects including fatigue and pain at the injection site.
The National Institutes of Health has established a new clinical trials network to enroll thousands of volunteers in large-scale clinical trials testing various COVID-19 vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. The COVPN will leverage existing infrastructure and engage communities to secure participants for late-stage clinical trials.
A new long-acting injectable form of PrEP containing cabotegravir outperformed a daily oral Truvada regimen in preventing HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men and transgender women. The study found that the injectable PrEP had a superior protective effect, with a 66% lower incidence rate compared to the daily pill.
Researchers recommend additional research on serology test accuracy and proposed strategies to distinguish between naturally acquired and vaccine-induced antibodies. The group also emphasized the need for an interactive serological database to monitor SARS-CoV-2 infection patterns.