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Emerging and Pandemic Pathogens: Lessons Learned From a Clinical Research Network
Robert L Atmar1, Getahun Abate2, Meagan E Deming3
1Departments of Molecular Virology & Microbiology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Summary
The Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Units (VTEUs) network conducts clinical trials for emerging infectious diseases. These studies accelerate the development of vital vaccines and treatments to protect public health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health and Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Vaccinology and Therapeutics
Background:
- Emerging and reemerging pathogens pose significant global health threats, necessitating robust research infrastructure.
- The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has supported Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Units (VTEUs) for over five decades to address infectious disease challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical studies conducted by VTEUs since 2000 focused on emerging pathogens, pandemic threats, and bioterrorism agents.
- To highlight the VTEU network's role in evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of candidate vaccines and therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical studies (Phase 1-3) including vaccines, therapeutics, and epidemiological investigations conducted within the VTEU network.
- Analysis of VTEU contributions to national and international guidelines for disease prevention and treatment.
Main Results:
- VTEU-conducted trials have informed critical public health recommendations for numerous infectious agents.
- The network rapidly initiated studies for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) within three months of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) identification.
Conclusions:
- The VTEU network is an indispensable public health resource for tackling emerging infectious diseases.
- VTEUs are crucial for expediting the development and deployment of safe and effective medical countermeasures.
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