DNA and mRNA Vaccines Against Hantaviruses: Antigen Design, Delivery Strategies and Translational Progress

Hantaviruses are members of the Hantaviridae family, which can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). At present, no specific antiviral treatment is available for hantavirus infection, while licensed hantavirus vaccines are restricted to a limited number of countries in Asia. This review summarizes recent advances in hantavirus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, focusing on antigen design, delivery systems, immunogenicity, safety and translational development. Peer-reviewed studies published primarily within the past 10 years were evaluated together with available hantavirus vaccine trials registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, with emphasis on Hantaan virus (HTNV), Puumala virus (PUUV) and Andes virus (ANDV). DNA vaccine candidates have demonstrated immunogenicity in preclinical and early clinical studies, with an acceptable safety profile. mRNA vaccines represent a newer approach with promising preclinical evidence of humoral and cellular immune responses. However, they have not yet been evaluated clinically. Studies have also reported the potential for varying degrees of cross-protection between hantavirus species, although protection remains limited by antigenic diversity. Overall, current evidence supports further development of nucleic acid-based hantavirus vaccines, particularly multivalent strategies, with emphasis on standardized evaluation and clinical efficacy.