Genetically engineered flu vaccine shows promise with animals
Instead of getting a Àu shot at the doctor’s of¿ce, you might someday inhale a nasal spray vaccine at home.
That’s the goal of researchers who say a genetically engineered Àu vaccine shows promise in animal research, and may ultimately lead to better inàuenza protection, UPI reported.
Although further work is needed, the scientists hope their approach will lead to an effective at-home vaccine.
Study senior author Ren Sun, professor of molecular and medical pharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles’ David Geffen School of Medicine, said, “Because the variations of seasonal inàuenza viruses can be unpredictable, current vaccines may not provide effective protection against them.
“Previous pandemics and recent outbreaks of avian inÀuenza highlight the need to develop vaccines that offer broader, more effective protection.” Using cutting-edge genomics, the researchers said they identi¿ed and removed the Àu virus’ defense mechanisms. The experimental vaccine triggered a strong immune response in animals.
The next step is to test the vaccine in animals infected with two strains of Àu, though research on animals doesn’t always produce the same results in humans. If that’s successful, human clinical trials would follow.
In the 2014-2015 Àu season, more than 700,000 Americans were hospitalized with seasonal Àu-related illnesses, according to government estimated.
Earlier this month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported ‘widespread’ Àu activity in 49 states.
Sun said, “The approach used to create this new Àu vaccine might also be useful for developing vaccines against a wide range of other viruses.”