MRNA As a Transformative Technology for Vaccine Development to Control Infectious Diseases

Overview

Journal Mol Ther

Publisher Cell Press

Specialties Molecular Biology
Pharmacology

Date 2019 Feb 27

PMID 30803823

Citations 231

Authors

Giulietta Maruggi

Cuiling Zhang

Junwei Li

Jeffrey B Ulmer

Dong Yu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In the last two decades, there has been growing interest in mRNA-based technology for the development of prophylactic vaccines against infectious diseases. Technological advancements in RNA biology, chemistry, stability, and delivery systems have accelerated the development of fully synthetic mRNA vaccines. Potent, long-lasting, and safe immune responses observed in animal models, as well as encouraging data from early human clinical trials, make mRNA-based vaccination an attractive alternative to conventional vaccine approaches. Thanks to these data, together with the potential for generic, low-cost manufacturing processes and the completely synthetic nature, the prospects for mRNA vaccines are very promising. In addition, mRNA vaccines have the potential to streamline vaccine discovery and development, and facilitate a rapid response to emerging infectious diseases. In this review, we overview the unique attributes of mRNA vaccine approaches, review the data of mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases, discuss the current challenges, and highlight perspectives about the future of this promising technology.

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