Medscape: New adjuvant boosts SARS-CoV-2 protection in animal models
UC expert says the therapy sounds promising but more information is needed
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the UC College of Medicine, was one of the expert sources cited in an article in Medscape on new research in animal models and COVID-19 vaccines. The research shows that a novel adjuvant, or new ingredient, that delivered a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine directly to the lymph nodes might be an effective option for humans, as it can 'hitchhike' on albumin from the site of the injection and ride into lymph nodes where new T cell and B cell responses begin.
"It sounds promising, but these are very early days and lots more to learn before this becomes the optimal solution," says Fichtenbaum.
"We need to understand where the optimal site of protection is in the body," he said. "Is it at the surface where the infection first starts? Is it in the immune system network, like lymph nodes? Do we need a combination of both?"
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand
Fichtenbaum also said "It's interesting, but we need a lot more research to know if this produces higher levels of protection for infections like SARS-CoV-2, and we will need human studies to see if what is proven in animals studies works in humans."
Fichtenbaum was also interviewed by Bill Cunningham on 700WLW on the latest on COVID-19 vaccines and the progress being made against the coronavirus. Listen to that interview here.
Lead photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand
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