Strategy of developing nucleic acid-based universal monkeypox vaccine candidates

Area of Science:

• * Virology and Epidemiology
• * Vaccinology and Biotechnology

Background:

• * Monkeypox virus (MPXV), a zoonotic pathogen endemic to Central and West Africa, has recently emerged as a significant global health threat.
• * The virus, causing monkeypox (MPX), has seen a rapid increase in cases outside endemic regions since May 2022.
• * Limited prior vaccination against smallpox and rapid spread within men who have sex with men (MSM) communities highlight the urgent need for effective countermeasures.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review strategies for developing nucleic acid-based vaccines against MPXV.
• * To explore the potential of mRNA and DNA vaccine platforms for MPX prevention.
• * To address the urgent need for a universal vaccine against MPXV.

Main Methods:

• * Review of existing literature on MPXV epidemiology and vaccinology.
• * Analysis of nucleic acid vaccine platforms, including mRNA and DNA technologies.
• * Discussion of the advantages of nucleic acid vaccines over conventional vaccines.

Main Results:

• * Smallpox vaccines show efficacy against MPXV due to antigenic similarities.
• * Nucleic acid vaccines, particularly mRNA, represent a viable and rapidly developable platform.
• * Advantages include time- and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional vaccine development.

Conclusions:

• * There is a critical need for a specific MPXV vaccine.
• * Nucleic acid vaccine technology offers a powerful opportunity for rapid and effective MPX vaccine development.
• * Developing nucleic acid-based vaccines can help mitigate the global threat posed by MPXV.