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mRNA as a Transformative Technology for Vaccine Development to Control Infectious Diseases
Giulietta Maruggi1, Cuiling Zhang2, Junwei Li2
1GSK, 14200 Shady Grove Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
Molecular Therapy : the Journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy
|February 27, 2019
Summary
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines offer a promising, synthetic alternative for infectious disease prevention. Advances in technology have led to potent, safe, and potentially low-cost vaccines with rapid development capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Vaccinology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Growing interest in messenger RNA (mRNA) technology for prophylactic vaccines against infectious diseases over the past two decades.
- Significant advancements in RNA biology, chemistry, stability, and delivery systems have enabled the development of fully synthetic mRNA vaccines.
- mRNA vaccines demonstrate potent, long-lasting, and safe immune responses in preclinical models and early human trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine approaches.
- To review existing data on mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases.
- To discuss current challenges and future perspectives for mRNA vaccine technology.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on mRNA vaccine development and clinical trial data.
- Analysis of technological advancements in RNA biology, chemistry, stability, and delivery systems.
- Discussion of manufacturing processes, safety profiles, and potential for rapid response to emerging infectious diseases.
Main Results:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines elicit potent and durable immune responses.
- These vaccines represent an attractive alternative to conventional vaccine platforms.
- The synthetic nature and potential for low-cost manufacturing enhance their prospects.
Conclusions:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines hold significant promise for infectious disease prevention.
- Their potential for rapid development and manufacturing streamlines vaccine discovery and response.
- Continued research and development are crucial to overcome current challenges and realize the full potential of mRNA vaccine technology.
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