Journal of Vaccine Research 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 95-106 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/jvr 101 significantly boosted this response; c and d display the responses of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells following vaccination. After the second dose, the frequency of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells significantly increased. These cells exhibited multifunctionality, including the simultaneous production of various cytokines (Adapted from Arunachalam et al., 2021) Both vaccines demonstrated high efficacy in preventing COVID-19, with clinical trials showing efficacy rates of approximately 95% in preventing symptomatic infection. The rapid development was facilitated by several factors, including pre-existing mRNA technology platforms, advances in lipid nanoparticle delivery systems, and substantial financial and logistical support from governments and international organizations (Hassett et al., 2019). The success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic has also demonstrated their potential for rapid scalability and manufacturing. The modular nature of mRNA production allows for quick adaptation to new viral variants, which is crucial for maintaining vaccine efficacy as the virus evolves (Rosa et al., 2021). This experience has paved the way for future pandemic preparedness and the development of vaccines for other emerging infectious diseases. 5.3 Other infectious disease applications Beyond influenza and COVID-19, mRNA vaccines have shown promise in addressing a range of other infectious diseases. For instance, mRNA vaccines targeting the Zika virus have been developed and tested in preclinical and early-phase clinical studies, demonstrating the ability to induce robust immune responses and provide protection against Zika infection (Pardi et al., 2020). Similarly, mRNA vaccines against rabies have shown efficacy in animal models, offering a potential new approach to preventing this deadly disease. Research is also ongoing for mRNA vaccines targeting other pathogens such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These vaccines leverage the ability of mRNA technology to encode complex antigens and induce both humoral and cellular immune responses, which are essential for protection against these challenging pathogens (Liang et al., 2021). The versatility of mRNA vaccines also extends to their potential use in combination vaccines, where multiple mRNA sequences encoding different antigens can be included in a single formulation. This approach could simplify vaccination schedules and improve compliance, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare (Gote et al., 2023). Overall, the success of mRNA vaccines in various infectious disease applications highlights their transformative potential in modern vaccinology. Continued research and development in this field are expected to yield new vaccines that can address both existing and emerging health threats, ultimately contributing to global health security. 6 mRNA Vaccines in Cancer Immunotherapy 6.1 Mechanisms and strategies mRNA vaccines represent a promising approach in cancer immunotherapy, leveraging the body's immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. The fundamental mechanism involves the delivery of mRNA encoding tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) into the patient's cells, which then produce the encoded antigens. These antigens are processed and presented on the surface of cells via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, triggering an immune response (Xu et al., 2023). Several strategies have been employed to enhance the efficacy of mRNA cancer vaccines. These include the use of personalized mRNA vaccines, where neoantigens unique to the patient's tumor are identified and encoded into the mRNA. This personalized approach aims to create a highly specific immune response against the cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal tissues. Additionally, combining mRNA vaccines with other immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors, can further potentiate the anti-tumor immune response (Pardi et al., 2020).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNQ==