Browsing by Author "Papazisis, Georgios"

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    Advancement in the development of mRNA-based vaccines for respiratory viruses
    (2024) Troncoso Bravo, Tays S.; Ramírez, Mario A.; Loaiza, Ricardo A.; Roman Cardenas, Carolina; Papazisis, Georgios; Garrido Cortés, Daniel; González, Pablo A.; Bueno Ramírez, Susan; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes
    Acute respiratory infections are the leading cause of death and illness in children under 5 years old and represent a significant burden in older adults. Primarily caused by viruses infecting the lower respiratory tract, symptoms include cough, congestion, and low-grade fever, potentially leading to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based vaccines are biopharmaceutical formulations that employ mRNA molecules to induce specific immune responses, facilitating the expression of viral or bacterial antigens and promoting immunization against infectious diseases. Notably, this technology had significant relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as these formulations helped to limit SARS-CoV-2 virus infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Importantly, mRNA vaccines promise to be implemented as new alternatives for fighting other respiratory viruses, such as influenza, human respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumovirus. This review article analyzes mRNA-based vaccines' main contributions, perspectives, challenges, and implications against respiratory viruses.
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    Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines: Analysis of Pre-Marketing Clinical Trials for Immunogenicity in the Population over 50 Years of Age
    (2024) Papazisis, Georgios; Topalidou, Xanthippi; Gioula, Georgia; González, Pablo A.; Bueno, Susan M.; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes
    Immunosenescence refers to age-related alterations in immune system function affecting both the humoral and cellular arm of immunity. Understanding immunosenescence and its impact on the vaccination of older adults is essential since primary vaccine responses in older individuals can fail to generate complete protection, especially vaccines targeting infections with increased incidence among the elderly, such as the respiratory syncytial virus. Here, we review clinical trials of both candidate and approved vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that include adults aged ≥50 years, with an emphasis on the evaluation of immunogenicity parameters. Currently, there are 10 vaccine candidates and 2 vaccines approved for the prevention of RSV in the older adult population. The number of registered clinical trials for this age group amounts to 42. Our preliminary evaluation of published results and interim analyses of RSV vaccine clinical trials indicates efficacy in older adult participants, demonstrating immunity levels that closely resemble those of younger adult participants.