Research on vaccines and immunization. Covers COVID and flu vaccines, outbreak response, long-lasting antibodies, and vaccination in vulnerable groups.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital developed a vaccine that prevents multiple sclerosis in mice by suppressing the harmful immune response. The treatment uses autologous immune cells treated with mitomycin and expresses a self-protein from the nervous system, rendering them non-reactive to the disease.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center presented several studies on brain-immune interactions, including the role of cilia in regulating hippocampal neurogenesis and the use of dendritic cells to boost anti-glioma immune responses. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the brain's immune system and p...
A new study finds that accelerating the pertussis vaccine schedule by two weeks could prevent at least 1,236 cases of the disease each year. This shift would also reduce hospitalizations and deaths attributed to pertussis, a disease that can be life-threatening in young infants.
A new cancer vaccine has elicited an immune response in most patients with bowel, kidney and prostate cancer, suggesting potential clinical benefit. The vaccine, TroVax, is well-tolerated and may provide survival benefits to patients.
Researchers at Saint Louis University have identified an investigational vaccine that induces a better immune response and is more effective at protecting against tuberculosis. The vaccine uses a weakened TB germ from one of the strains of the current tuberculosis vaccine.
Researchers have developed a novel delivery system that significantly enhances vaccine effectiveness while tailoring it based on the desired type of immune response. Using RNA molecules, their system achieved immune responses five to 50 times stronger than traditional vaccines in mice studies.
Researchers at Aberystwyth University have licensed a discovery of a protein that can 'wake up' dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, potentially leading to the development of a more effective vaccine. The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation plans to take its recombinant BCG (AERAS-407) vaccine to clinical trial in 2009.
A national survey reveals that nearly one in four parents believe vaccines cause autism, leading to fewer vaccinations and a growing number of measles infections. The study's findings highlight the lingering fear and confusion surrounding vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific evidence debunking the link.
A randomized clinical trial found that changing dosing and administration of an anthrax vaccine to intramuscular injection resulted in fewer adverse events while maintaining comparable effectiveness. The study also discovered that a reduced 3-dose schedule was noninferior to the licensed regimen.
A study of 349 children with MS and 2,941 without the disease found that hepatitis B vaccination does not increase multiple sclerosis risk. However, a specific type of vaccine was linked to symptoms in vaccinated children with MS, three or more years after vaccination.
Researchers have identified a key role for cytokine interleukin 17 in immune system detection of pneumococcus. This discovery may help develop an effective and affordable vaccine for the disease, which affects young children and the elderly.
A study by the University of Nottingham aims to identify bacterial antigens that could lead to an effective vaccine against Bovine Mastitis. The researchers will use state-of-the-art molecular technology to determine which proteins are essential for infection.
A new breast cancer vaccine has been tested in mice and shown to completely eliminate HER2-positive tumors, even those resistant to current therapy. The vaccine uses activated immunity to target the HER2 receptor, potentially eliminating the need for existing therapies.
Researchers will develop oral vaccines against tetanus and rotavirus, targeting vulnerable infants and young children. The goal is to create a vaccine that doesn't contain live bacteria and has fewer side effects.
A study published in Public Library of Science found no association between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism or gastrointestinal symptoms in children. The study analyzed bowel tissues from 25 children with autism and GI disturbances, as well as 13 controls, and found no presence of measles virus RNA in either group.
A team of vaccine safety experts has developed a step-by-step tool to identify children with allergic reactions to vaccines and provide safe immunization plans. Most children with known or suspected vaccine allergies can be safely vaccinated with proper monitoring and precautions, according to the study.
A CMAJ study found significantly higher rates of anaphylaxis in young women after HPV vaccination, with a rate of 2.6 per 100,000 doses administered. However, the overall rates were low and no serious lasting effects were observed.
Cervical cancer control is becoming feasible in developing countries due to highly effective vaccines and promising new screening tests. The monograph presents the best global thinking on cervical cancer prevention with vaccination and screening, evaluating cost-effectiveness and affordability.
Researchers at the Institute for Animal Health are developing complex models to understand how bluetongue virus spreads among livestock. By analyzing midge numbers, biting behavior, and weather patterns, they aim to provide farmers with critical information on when to move animals and implement best practices for controlling the spread...
A UCF professor has developed an oral vaccine that shows high effectiveness against the plague, which could provide a practical solution in the event of a bioterror attack. The vaccine is more expensive to produce than traditional injectable vaccines but offers a cheap and accessible alternative.
Researchers developed an injectable vaccine grown in genetically engineered plants to treat follicular B-cell lymphoma, a chronic and incurable disease. The plant-grown vaccines lack side effects and could allow earlier, more aggressive management of the cancer.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that HIV-1 cripples the immune system earlier than previously believed, with significant cell death occurring within five to seven days after infection. The study suggests a new approach to vaccine design, requiring multiple arms of the immune system to be activated and targeted.
In a bid to control an extensive plague outbreak in South Dakota, biologists are vaccinating endangered black-footed ferrets with a vaccine given by the U.S. Geological Survey. The vaccine has been used during a major plague epizootic for the first time and is administered to prairie dogs and ferrets through initial shots and boosters.
Researchers found a correlation between the intensity of a patient's immune response and clinical outcomes in brain cancer patients. The study showed that stronger immune responses were associated with longer survival times and improved treatment outcomes.
The addition of hormone therapy following vaccine treatment improved overall survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Vaccines can be safely and effectively combined with other therapies, including hormones.
Researchers have developed a plant-derived vaccine against Alzheimer's disease using transgenic tomatoes expressing human beta-amyloid protein. The study showed a strong immune response in mice, but the potency of the vaccine needs to be increased.
The researchers have developed a biologically engineered organism that can effectively deliver an antigen in the body using live salmonella bacterium. The new method is a major step forward in developing a means of biological containment for vaccine delivery, making vaccines more affordable for developing countries.
A new vitespen vaccine was tested on post-operative kidney cancer patients, but showed no significant improvement in recurrence-free survival. In early stage disease, patients receiving the vaccine had a lower risk of recurrence, but this finding requires further validation.
Researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences have been awarded a $5.6 million grant to develop vaccines and treatments for Nipah and Hendra viruses. The grant will support collaboration with Australian researchers to test vaccines and therapeutics, which have shown promising results in previous studies.
The US FDA has approved KINRIX, a combination vaccine that protects against four serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio. Clinical studies show similar protection to separately administered vaccines with a comparable safety profile.
Researchers at Temple University found that addressing ER workers' fears and concerns through targeted messages can increase vaccination rates. The study used perceptual mapping to analyze respondents' attitudes toward vaccination, revealing significant shifts under varying levels of threat.
A new vaccine patch has shown promising results in protecting travelers from diarrhoea, with 75% efficacy against moderate-to-severe episodes. The patch also reduced the duration and severity of illness in those who became sick, offering a new option for prevention and treatment.
Researchers have discovered a group of 24 linked to virulence in Brucella abortus strain S19, which has been used as a vaccine for cattle. The study's findings may explain why other strains cause disease and trigger abortion in livestock. This understanding could aid in combating brucellosis and its potential applications in bioterrorism.
A new vaccine targeting more common pneumococcal strains is on the horizon to replace PCV7, which has seen a rise in non-vaccine strain IPD rates by 40%. The vaccine's effectiveness against resistant bacteria is currently being tested.
Researchers develop a technique to coat viruses with proteins, allowing for easier tracking and treatment of infectious diseases. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inherited disorders.
Researchers at UT Medical School in Houston found that knowing a blood relative with shingles doubles one's risk of getting the condition. The study recommends vaccination for individuals with family history to prevent shingles outbreaks.
A vaccine created by University of Rochester Medical Center scientists prevents the development of Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology in mice. The vaccinated mice demonstrated normal learning skills and functioning memory despite being genetically designed to develop an aggressive form of the disease.
A new therapeutic vaccine has shown promising results in prolonging survival and improving the quality of life for men with metastatic prostate cancer. The adenovirus/PSA vaccine demonstrated strong immune responses to PSA, leading to improved patient outcomes.
Researchers at ETH Zurich identify a unique invasion strategy used by the vaccinia virus, exploiting cellular waste disposal mechanisms and evading immune response. The discovery sheds light on a new mechanism of action for this virus, which could inform the development of new antiviral agents.
A new, simplified economical method of giving rabies vaccine has been shown to stimulate anti-rabies antibodies just as effectively as the current standard vaccine regimen. The 4-site intradermal regimen is cheaper and more practical, with wider safety margins and suitability for use in financial-constrained areas.
Geisinger's Electronic Health Record program improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels, increases vaccination compliance, and boosts tobacco cessation rates. The program also enhances patient engagement through its Internet portal, MyGeisinger.
A recent poll in Edinburgh revealed that 87% of respondents were unaware of smallpox's extinction, a disease that killed 300-500 million victims in the 20th century. However, many people showed knowledge of microbes' role in medicine, volcanoes, and other areas.
Researchers have successfully tested Ebola vaccines in primates, triggering a cell-mediated response and producing effective protection. The candidates are now set to be tested on humans for the first time, offering hope for controlling outbreaks and protecting healthcare workers.
A recent study by Indiana University found that overweight but active men experienced a 24% improvement in vascular function after exercise, compared to a 32% decrease in inactive individuals. The research highlights the importance of daily physical activity in maintaining cardiovascular health, even if weight loss is not immediate.
A new aerosol version of the most common TB vaccine administered directly to the lungs via oral mist provides significantly better protection against TB in experimental animals. The vaccine could offer a safer, more consistent treatment option with reduced need for refrigerated storage.
The HPV vaccine GARDASIL has been shown to reduce abnormal Pap test results by 43% in women, preventing the development of cell changes that lead to cervical disease. This reduction also translates to fewer invasive procedures like cervical biopsies, with a 42% decrease observed in GARDASIL recipients.
Researchers have demonstrated that immunization with a stabilized version of M protein found on Streptococcus bacteria can provide protection against Strep infections. The modified M1 protein stimulates the immune system in mice without serious side effects.
Researchers at USC have identified A20 as an antigen presentation attenuator that prevents excessive inflammation of dendritic cells. By inhibiting A20, they found a new way to overcome regulatory T cell-mediated suppression and trigger strong antitumor immunity.
Researchers developed a vaccine that reduces E. coli shedding in beef cattle by 54% and 85%, respectively, in two field studies. The vaccine targets siderophore receptor and porin proteins, allowing bacteria to suffocate without iron consumption.
Scientists have discovered that immune cells confront viruses just inside the lymph node, not deep within the organ. This breakthrough could help design effective anti-virus vaccines against deadly viruses like HIV. The study sheds light on how the immune system operates during a viral infection.
A vaccine booster has been shown to induce a persistent immune response against lung cancer, reducing the risk of recurrence. The study found that patients who received regular recall injections experienced improved immunological memory, which can be strengthened with additional vaccinations.
Infants' bodies expel thimerosal mercury much faster than originally believed, suggesting no toxic build-up occurs. Researchers found nearly undetectable levels in urine samples, with most elimination via stools.
A new meningitis vaccine has been shown to be well-tolerated and immunogenic in infants, providing protection against four strains of the disease. The vaccine, MenACWY, uses a natural mutant of the diphtheria toxin and has been found to induce protective antibody levels in over 90% of infants who received it.
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness, is becoming increasingly prevalent along the U.S.-Mexico border and in Puerto Rico. The NIAID experts warn that widespread dengue cases in the continental US are a real possibility due to the lack of effective treatments or vaccines.
The study found that autism cases continued to increase in California despite the elimination of thimerosal from most childhood vaccines. Exposure to thimerosal was estimated to have contributed to the upswing in reported cases, but this link was not proven by the study.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered a way to jumpstart the production of new naïve T-cells, which are vital for fighting infections. This approach could provide long-term protection against diseases such as the flu for aging Americans.
Researchers from University of Missouri and Imperial College London found that chemical markers on cancer and HIV-infected cells can fool the immune system, making it ineffective against vaccines. The study suggests that vaccines may be unlikely to work due to these shared sequences.
A peptide vaccine for leukemia improved event-free survival by 8.7 months compared to non-responders, with 36% of responders experiencing complete cytogenetic remission. The vaccine targets cancer cells and induces a specific immune response in patients with HLA-A2
Researchers explore ways to translate cancer prevention science into public health policy, highlighting the need for effective tobacco control measures. Boosting taxes, comprehensive advertising bans, smoke-free laws, and strengthening cigarette package warnings have been found to be effective in reducing tobacco consumption, but flawe...
HIV-infected children in Central Africa show low levels of antibodies to vaccines after childhood immunization. Researchers suggest adapted vaccine schedules may be needed for HIV-exposed infants.