Global progress in clinical research on human respiratory syncytial virus vaccines - Frontiers
Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory infections globally, affecting newborns, young children, older adults, and immune-compromised individuals. It presents with a range of clinical manifestations, from mild to severe lower respiratory tract diseases like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Approximately 90% of children under 2 years are infected with hRSV, and the virus can lead to repeated infections, posing a serious health threat. The global incidence of hRSV increased after the COVID-19 pandemic due to relaxed public health measures. Safe and effective hRSV vaccines are highly required, especially in low- and middle-income countries. hRSV is an enveloped, negative-sense RNA virus encoding 11 proteins, with the F and G proteins being the main targets of neutralizing antibodies. Vaccine development has historically faced challenges, including safety concerns and insufficient efficacy, but recent advancements focus on using PreF as the antigen to induce potent neutralizing antibodies and prevent non-neutralizing antibody production and enhanced respiratory disease responses. Over 20 hRSV vaccine candidates are currently under clinical development, with several in phase III trials and three already approved for marketing.
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Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory infections globally, affecting newborns, young children, older adults, and immune-compromised individuals. It presents with a range of clinical manifestations, from mild to severe lower respiratory tract diseases like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Approximately 90% of children under 2 years are infected with hRSV, and the virus can lead to repeated infections, posing a serious health threat. The global incidence of hRSV increased after the COVID-19 pandemic due to relaxed public health measures. Safe and effective hRSV vaccines are highly required, especially in low- and middle-income countries. hRSV is an enveloped, negative-sense RNA virus encoding 11 proteins, with the F and G proteins being the main targets of neutralizing antibodies. Vaccine development has historically faced challenges, including safety concerns and insufficient efficacy, but recent advancements focus on using PreF as the antigen to induce potent neutralizing antibodies and prevent non-neutralizing antibody production and enhanced respiratory disease responses. Over 20 hRSV vaccine candidates are currently under clinical development, with several in phase III trials and three already approved for marketing.