Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA technology is being studied for the treatment of various diseases, as well as viruses and infections. Naturally, scientists are striving to find new treatments and preventative measures for tuberculosis due to the continuing rise in mortality, which now amounts to over a million people annually.
Using mRNA, researchers developed genetic instructions to trigger a boosted immune response in the body to combat tuberculosis. The results were published on the University of Sydney website.
Experiments showed that vaccination resulted in a strengthened immune response, which could reduce the incidence of infection in mice. A long-term protective effect was observed with the combined use of mRNA and the standard BCG vaccine.
"We see that mRNA technology for tuberculosis can boost immunity in ways traditional vaccines cannot. We now need to refine the new vaccine so that it can potentially replace BCG," said study co-author Colin Puton.
In parallel with developing new drugs, scientists are improving the BCG vaccine. A modified version has demonstrated a stronger immune response and is effective against tuberculosis at any age. Notably, the BCG vaccine has previously demonstrated efficacy against Alzheimer's disease and resistant liver cancer.
