Tuberculosis

TB vaccine investigators report progress

John Carroll — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:14:06 -0400

Researchers at Saint Louis University say they're advancing a new vaccine that could offer much better protection from tuberculosis.

"Not only was it as safe as the standard vaccine, it induced a better immune response, which suggests it will be more effective at protecting against tuberculosis," said Daniel Hoft, M.D., Ph.D., director of the division of immunobiology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and lead author of the study.

The investigational vaccine is made from a weakened TB germ from one of the strains of the current tuberculosis vaccine, which was created more than 75 years ago. The new "recombinant" vaccine uses an antigen--a secreted protein from a virulent strain of tuberculosis--to help focus the immune system on blocking aggressive and deadly TB organisms.

In this Phase I clinical trial, researchers vaccinated a total of 35 study participants. The standard TB vaccine--called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)--was given to 17 study participants, and 18 study participants received the investigational recombinant BCG vaccine.

- read the release

Researchers develop recombinant TB vax

Calisha Myers — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:51:43 -0400

Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed a vaccine for tuberculosis that may offer better protection than the one currently in use. The investigational vaccine is made from a weakened TB germ from one of the strains of the current TB vaccine, which was created over 75 years ago. The current vaccine is about 70 percent protective against deaths or meningitis from tuberculosis and about 50 percent protective against pulmonary tuberculosis.

In a phase I clinical trial researchers vaccinated 35 participants to monitor the immune system responses. The standard vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), was given to 17 participants, and 18 received the recombinant BCG vaccine. Researchers compared five immune functions induced by the vaccines and found that the immune system produced stronger responses than the standard vaccine, caused no safety concerns and was well tolerated.

This particular recombinant vaccine will not be tested further because it contains an antibiotic resistant gene that researchers want to keep out of the environment, according to the University's statement. Scientists at St. Louis University plan to continue with trials of a similar recombinant BCG vaccine that they expect to be even more potent, said Daniel Hoft, M.D., Ph.D., director of the division of immunobiology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and lead author of the study.

- read the release

Crucell reports early-stage success with TB vaccine

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Shares of Crucell jumped after the developer announced that an early-stage trial of an experimental tuberculosis vaccine demonstrated a promising immune response in volunteers. The Dutch biotech is teamed up with the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation and the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative in advancing AERAS-402/Crucell Ad35. And a third early-stage vaccine trial is underway in South Africa, which has an extraordinarily high rate of the disease. The currently used vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin, was developed 85 years ago, but is regarded as largely ineffective against pulmonary TB.

"While preliminary, these results are promising. We are pleased that Crucell's technologies are playing a key role in the search and development of a much-needed TB vaccine," said Dr. Jaap Goudsmit, chief scientific officer at Crucell. "We highly value the collaboration with Aeras and SATVI on this important mission."

- see the release
- read this report

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Sanofi licenses technology for new TB vaccine

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:59:56 -0500

Sanofi Pasteur has struck a licensing deal with the Statens Serum Institut of Denmark covering the use of its technology for a new tuberculosis vaccine. The pact includes SSI's Intercell IC31 adjuvant and the use of certain fusion proteins. SSI TB vaccine candidates are recombinant protein sub-units, including one currently in a Phase I clinical trial. Results from a previous study showed the SSI TB vaccine technology provided a positive immune response. TB kills two million people a year.

"This agreement is a milestone for Sanofi Pasteur," said Wayne Pisano, president and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur, which is also working to develop a vaccine against another one of the biggest global infectious disease killers--malaria. "The current medical arsenal is inadequate for fighting tuberculosis."

- read the press release

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