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Sunday November 28, 2010
Syncytial virus vaccine in key stage tests in humans will leave in coming months, a group of 50 volunteers. Product does not cure infection, prevent
The goal is ambitious: to create the first vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the main responsible for thousands of people in winter and fall sick in bed. It is the most lethal of the pathogens that attack children and the elderly in the cold season, but the A H1N1, adenovirus or rotavirus.
But strangely enough even though it is highly contagious and the leading cause of hospitalization of children, there is no vaccine against the agent. In his treatment and antiviral antibodies are used, but only in certain cases.
The last attempt to develop a compound was in the 60's in America, but the evidence did not end well.
So the progress made by the Millennium Nucleus of Immunology, body working under the wing of the Catholic universities of Chile, Andr?s Bello, are so promising.
tests
Alexis Kalergis biochemist, director and doctor of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (New York) reported that they are ready the first four thousand doses to begin human testing.
After six years of work the team reached a key stage: to provide the vaccine to 50 patients, volunteers, all healthy adults, the so-called Phase 1.
This work will start in the coming months, once the dose to observe the formalities of import, because although Chileans were developed in laboratories, manufacturing is finally made in the USA, where he was successfully synthesized by the Aeras Global Vaccine Washington Research Group.
preventive
"The idea is to prevent infection (not cure), which seeks the vaccine is to train the person's immune system, so that when exposed to infection, respond favorably and eliminate the infection," explains researcher .
Kalergis recently estimated that within a decade if all tests and phases are good, the product may be marketed. Doses are currently being imported and is drafting the clinical protocol, which must be approved by the authorities
Each phase of clinical testing takes at least two years and are three steps required by this process. In the Hospital of the Catholic University conducted the test. "The development of vaccines is cost and time consuming."
"In the first phase, he added, are applied dose and only going to measure security, we rule that would have any adverse effect on the volunteers," said Kalergis.
During its development, the vaccine against RSV was tested in mice, with good results. "To test it in humans have to make a synthesis of the vaccine and that process and we did."
impact
The impact of syncytial virus vaccine-developed with the financial support of CONICYT-Fondef be important. At least that's what Alexis Kalergis expected.
"This is a virus that may be responsible for up to 80% of hospitalizations in winter periods, not only in Chile, but worldwide, is a serious public health problem that costs a lot of money into the health system," said the director of the Millennium Nucleus of Immunology, which is in transition to school.
"This is a project of public interest, this means that universities and other bodies involved in the project, feel the vaccine should not be a product that is lucre, but rather that is available to all Chileans who want to access, "added the scientist.