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Towards an HCV vaccine: an overview of the immunization strategies for eliciting an effective B-cell response
Gabriel L Costa1, Giuseppe A Sautto1
1Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA.
Insights
Developing a hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine is crucial due to high global infection rates and limitations of current treatments. Research focuses on eliciting a broad humoral response against the E2 glycoprotein to overcome HCV
Area of Science:
- Virology and Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 58 million globally, risking cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Direct-acting antivirals are effective but costly, with persistent risks of HCC and reinfection, necessitating prophylactic vaccines.
- HCV's genetic diversity presents a significant challenge for vaccine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine targets and diverse vaccination strategies.
- To focus on approaches that induce a broad and effective humoral immune response.
- To identify key areas for future research in HCV vaccinology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review using keywords 'HCV,' 'Hepatitis C,' and 'vaccine' in public databases.
- Selection of 54 relevant papers following screening.
- Analysis of various expression systems, antigen selection, and delivery methods.
Main Results:
- The humoral response against the HCV E2 glycoprotein is critical for viral clearance.
- Broadly neutralizing antibodies play a key role in effective viral control.
- Progress in vaccine development requires exploring novel platforms beyond traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- Continued investigation into HCV virology, immunology, and vaccinology is essential.
- Overcoming obstacles in vaccine development is vital for global public health.
- Novel vaccine platforms and strategies are needed to achieve an effective HCV vaccine.
Introduction:
Fifty-eight million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and are at risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Direct-acting antivirals are highly effective; however, they are burdened by high costs and the unchanged risk of HCC and reinfection, making prophylactic countermeasures an urgent medical need. HCV high genetic diversity is one of the main obstacles to vaccine development. The protective role of the humoral response directed against the HCV E2 glycoprotein is well established, and broadly neutralizing antibodies play a crucial role in effective viral clearance.
Areas Covered:
This review explores the HCV targets and the different vaccination approaches, encompassing different expression systems, antigen selection strategies, and delivery methods, focusing on those aimed at eliciting a broad and effective humoral response. Our search criteria included the keywords 'HCV,' 'Hepatitis C,' and 'vaccine' using publicly available databases. Following the screening, 54 papers were selected.
Expert Opinion:
The investigation of novel vaccine platforms beyond traditional approaches is necessary. While progress has been made in this direction, continued investigations on the HCV virology, immunology, and vaccinology are essential to surmount associated obstacles, heling in the development of an HCV vaccine that can benefit the global public health.
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