Tuberculosis: vaccines in the pipeline.

Area of Science:

• Immunology and Infectious Diseases
• Vaccinology
• Global Health

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) poses significant global health challenges, exacerbated by HIV coinfection and drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains.
• The existing Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine has limited efficacy against pulmonary TB in adults in high-burden regions.
• Diverse populations, including those with prior BCG immunization, HIV coinfection, or latent TB infection, require tailored vaccine strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the progress of novel vaccine candidates designed to improve, replace, or augment the current BCG vaccination strategy.
• To evaluate the potential of new TB vaccines for diverse populations and specific needs, including travelers to high-burden countries.

Main Methods:

• Summary of advancements in TB vaccine development over the last 15 years.
• Evaluation of vaccine candidates in preclinical animal models.
• Overview of promising candidates currently undergoing human clinical trials.

Main Results:

• Several promising TB vaccine candidates have emerged from laboratory research.
• These candidates are actively being assessed in human clinical trials.
• Progress in animal models indicates potential for improved or alternative TB vaccination strategies.

Conclusions:

• New vaccine strategies are crucial to overcome the limitations of BCG and address evolving TB threats.
• Promising candidates show potential for future use in diverse populations and for travelers.
• Continued research and clinical evaluation are essential for developing effective next-generation TB vaccines.