Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA technology has been explored to treat various diseases, as well as viruses and infections. Of course, scientists are trying to find new methods to treat and prevent tuberculosis due to the continuing rise in mortality, which amounts to more than a million people every year.
Using the power of mRNA, researchers have developed genetic instructions to trigger a boosted immune response in the body to combat tuberculosis. The results are published on the University of Sydney website.
Experiments have shown that after vaccination, an enhanced immune response was observed, which will reduce the number of cases of infection in mice. When using mRNA and standard BCG vaccine in combination, a long-term protective effect was noted.
"We see that mRNA technology in TB can boost immunity in a way that traditional vaccines cannot. We now need to refine the new vaccine so that it can eventually replace BCG," said study co-author Colin Puton.
In parallel with the development of new drugs, scientists are improving the BCG vaccine. Thus, a modified version has shown an enhanced immune response and effectiveness against tuberculosis at any age. It is noteworthy that the BCG vaccine has previously shown effectiveness against Alzheimer's disease and resistant liver cancer.