Progress in Developing a Next-Generation TB Vaccine Using mRNA Technology

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, responsible for over 1.2 million deaths annually. Although the current vaccine offers protection to young children, it is limited in preventing adult and adolescent transmission. Recent advancements by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) highlight a promising new approach in TB prevention.

The team has developed a novel TB vaccine candidate leveraging mRNA technology—a platform famously used for COVID-19 vaccines. This candidate incorporates newly identified TB antigens, targeting the bacteria more effectively. The research, published in the journal Cell, details how scientists evaluated multiple immune responses to various TB antigens and selected three of the most promising for vaccine development.

Dr. Dan H. Barouch, the study's corresponding author, emphasized the flexibility of the mRNA platform, which allows for the combination of multiple antigens into a single shot. The researchers formulated a trivalent vaccine, combining three TB antigens, and tested it in animal models. The results showed significant improvements over the traditional BCG vaccine, including reduced infection rates, lower bacterial spread, and decreased bacterial load in the lungs.

Importantly, these antigens also triggered immune responses in humans exposed to TB, suggesting they could be effective in people as well. The next step involves initiating Phase I clinical trials to evaluate safety and effectiveness in humans, potentially leading to a more protective and comprehensive TB vaccine.

Dr. Samuel J. Vidal, co-author of the study, highlighted that this approach represents a groundbreaking step forward in TB vaccine research, offering hope for better prevention strategies across all age groups. The use of innovative antigen screening and the mRNA platform could revolutionize how TB is fought globally.

This research underscores the potential for science to develop more effective TB vaccines, which could significantly impact global health efforts to eradicate the disease.