Emerging vaccine strategies: T-cells and mRNA in the fight against infectious diseases

In recent years, the focus on SARS-CoV-2 and mRNA-based vaccines has overshadowed work on other infectious diseases and vaccine approaches. However, attention is now shifting, as experts from three vaccine-focused companies explained who spoke to GEN on exploring new developments. T-cell strategies A 2022 letter from infectious disease experts urged the U.S. FDA to prioritize T-cell responses in vaccine development, noting that T cells offer broader protection against infectious diseases than antibodies alone. Andrew Allen, CEO of Gritstone bio, highlights that vaccine research has traditionally focused on antibodies due to ease of measurement and development. However, T cells, which target more conserved viral regions that mutate less frequently, provide more durable protection. With advancements in sequencing technology, measuring T-cell responses has become more feasible, and Allen emphasizes the need for vaccines that activate both arms of the immune system. Advances in T-cell-based vaccines Gritstone bio is developing vaccines that stimulate both T cells and...