Researchers have developed a malaria vaccine candidate that is safe and immunogenic in adults, offering improved protection against the disease. The vaccine combines FMP013 antigen with ALFQ adjuvant, which displays promising immune-enhancing effects.
Recent preclinical study results demonstrate the Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN) COVID-19 vaccine developed by WRAIR elicits potent immune responses and offers broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants and other coronaviruses. The SpFN vaccine uses a ferritin platform to present multiple copies of the coronavirus spike protein, i...
A Phase 2 clinical trial is launched to evaluate ImmunityBio's Anktiva (IL-15 agonist) in Thai participants with acute HIV infection. The goal is to target the establishment of the HIV reservoir at a very early stage.
Researchers propose genomic sieve analysis to examine COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections, revealing viral mutations that evade the immune response. The technique predicts potential mechanisms of vaccine protection and future vaccine resistance.
A Phase 1 trial evaluating Army-developed ALF adjuvants in HIV-1 vaccine regimens aims to improve immune responses. The study will compare different adjuvants and inform a promising vaccine strategy for stronger, more durable immune responses.
A recent MHRP study demonstrated that an experimental combination of a TLR7 agonist and broadly neutralizing antibodies delayed viral rebound after ART interruption by 2-fold. This approach may represent a potential strategy to target the HIV reservoir in infected individuals.
A new study identified a transcriptional signature in B cells that correlates with protection from SIV or HIV infection in five independent trials of HIV-1 vaccine candidates. The gene expression signature was found to be associated with the only human HIV vaccine trial that previously showed modest efficacy, RV144.
Researchers at U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) advance experimental heroin vaccine through Phase I/IIa clinical trials. The vaccine aims to block the euphoria and addictive effects of heroin by binding it in the blood, potentially giving people a window to overcome addiction.
Researchers developed an experimental heroin vaccine that induces antibodies blocking the drug's effects, preventing euphoria and addictive properties. The vaccine appears to dampen the impact of heroin at high doses, potentially preventing overdose. Antibodies induced by the vaccine do not cross-react with therapies for opioid misuse.
The Joint West Africa Research Group (JWARG) has begun a study to identify cases of suspected severe infectious diseases in West Africa. The study will enroll adult volunteers who present as severely ill with a suspected infectious source, and collect samples for laboratory analysis.
A study administered VRC01 antibody infusions to virally suppressed volunteers who initiated ART during acute HIV infection, showing a delay in viral load rebound. The results provide valuable lessons for future studies on early-treated individuals with combination broadly neutralizing antibodies.
A new study has shown that boosting volunteers with an additional dose of AIDSVAX B/E vaccine 6-8 years after their initial vaccination resulted in higher humoral and CD4+ T-cell responses. This increased immune response suggests a potential for improved protection against HIV infection.
A new study has identified a window of opportunity for potent HIV-specific CD8+ T cells to kill HIV-producing cells and reduce the seeding of the HIV reservoir. Fully differentiated HIV-specific CD8+ T cells, detected at peak viremia, correlate with decreased viral load and reduced HIV reservoir size.
Researchers found that a therapeutic vaccine and immune stimulator combination improved virologic control and delayed viral rebound in non-human primates infected with SIV. The study showed promise for achieving long-term viral suppression without antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers have successfully tested two Zika vaccine candidates in nonhuman primates, demonstrating robust protection against both Brazilian and Puerto Rican strains of the virus. The findings support the advancement of these vaccine candidates to human trials, with phase 1 clinical testing expected to begin later this year.
Researchers found that early antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces total HIV DNA levels in the body, which may predict time to viral load rebound after treatment cessation. The study suggests that people with a smaller HIV reservoir size have a greater chance of achieving long-term HIV remission.
The US Army's MHRP is part of a collaborative research team awarded $4.6M per year to develop an integrated approach to finding an HIV cure. Researchers will study immune responses generated by therapeutic vaccines and broadly neutralizing antibodies.
A new preclinical study suggests that an effective Zika vaccine is achievable. Two vaccine candidates were tested and found to be safe and protective against the virus in mice. The purified inactivated virus (PIV) vaccine is being developed and planned for human testing later this year.
A transferrable gene for colistin resistance has been discovered in the United States, raising concerns about the emergence of truly pan-drug resistant bacteria. The finding is a significant public health concern, as it may render colistin, the last agent used to combat resistant bacteria, ineffective.
Researchers analyze high-risk individuals and track their HIV status to understand the evolution of symptoms and signs during acute infection. The study reveals a correlation between peak viremia and set-point viremia, establishing a critical window for intervention strategies.
Researchers tested a Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine candidate in 30 volunteers and found that it significantly delayed parasitemia in 59% of vaccinated subjects. The study also identified limitations to primaquine treatment, highlighting the need for improved vaccines.
A Phase 1 clinical trial began at WRAIR to evaluate the safety and immune response of a vaccine candidate for MERS, a severe respiratory disease with a high fatality rate. The vaccine is being co-developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science Inc., and will be administered to 75 participants.
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an Ebola vaccine regimen in healthy and HIV-infected study volunteers. The trial includes two vaccine candidates and will assess their safety and immune response in volunteers up to 70 years old.
Researchers argue that single therapies are unlikely to achieve long-term HIV remission, and propose a data-driven approach to combination therapy trials. The proposed method involves parallel animal and human studies, with combinations selected based on in vitro and existing data, accelerating the research process.
Researchers found that infection with multiple founder HIV-1 variants results in significantly higher mean viral loads and poorer clinical outcomes. The study analyzed data from two large HIV vaccine efficacy trials and showed that the number of variants at the beginning of infection affects the setpoint for viral load.
The RV144 HIV vaccine trial found that host genetics influenced the immune response, with specific HLA alleles modulating antibody responses. This discovery could inform the development of more effective next-generation vaccines.
A large-scale study of Ebola survivors found persistent health effects, including vision loss, hearing impairment, and cognitive decline. The study highlights the need for strategies to address the long-term health needs of survivors.
Researchers conducted the first Ebola vaccine trial in Africa using an early-generation vaccine candidate, demonstrating safety and immunogenicity. The study found that the vaccines produced similar immune responses in African and US populations, providing proof of principle for a multivalent filovirus vaccine.