Hong Kong: A new version of the smallpox vaccine is likely to be effective against monkeypox, according to Hong Kong researchers, providing the first insight into how it could potentially prevent recent global outbreaks.
Due to the rarity of major monkeypox outbreaks in the past, clinical data on the efficacy of smallpox vaccines against the virus and its new forms in humans has been limited.
However, a data analysis study conducted by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has taken the first step towards closing the knowledge gap.
"Our research shows that smallpox vaccines will generate a strong immune response against the new monkeypox virus," said Ahmed Abdul Qadir, research assistant professor in HKUST's Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering.
We expect the vaccine to be highly effective against monkeypox."
He stressed that because the findings were only predictive, clinical trials would still be needed to prove the vaccine's effectiveness.
Quadir and Professor Matthew McKay from the University of Melbourne's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering co-led the study. This month, their findings were reviewed and published in the scientific journal Viruses.
We expect the vaccine to be highly effective against monkeypox."
He stressed that because the findings were only predictive, clinical trials would still be needed to prove the vaccine's efficacy.
Quadir and Professor Matthew McKay from the University of Melbourne's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering collaborated on the study. Their findings were peer-reviewed and published this month in the scientific journal Viruses.
Between mid-June and July, researchers compared more than 500 genetic sequences from the most recent outbreaks of smallpox, the smallpox virus used to develop vaccines.
They found that the two viruses were genetically 95% identical, particularly in regions targeted by human immune cells, meaning that the immune response elicited by the vaccine would be effective against the monkeypox virus.
Between mid-June and July, researchers compared more than 500 genetic sequences from the most recent outbreaks of smallpox, the smallpox virus used to develop vaccines.
They found that the two viruses were genetically 95% identical, particularly in regions targeted by human immune cells, meaning that the immune response elicited by the vaccine would be effective against the monkeypox virus.
According to Quadir, one of the few studies on the efficacy of the smallpox vaccine was conducted in the 1980s and simply demonstrated that the first generation of the drug could provide 85% protection against monkeypox. Due to negative side effects, the vaccine is no longer in use.
Only animal tests showed that the second and third generation vaccines, ACAM2000 and MVA-BN, were effective against monkeypox.
"As of now, we have no data demonstrating the clinical efficacy of these vaccines against the new monkeypox virus in humans." "At the moment, this is the main knowledge gap," Qadir observed.
Although clinical trials of the vaccine against the newer version are still underway, MVA-BN has been approved for use in several countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union.
In Hong Kong, the government's Expert Immunization Committee also recommends using MVA-BN within four days of the first exposure. Health officials had earlier said they were in the process of procuring the vaccine and that stocks would arrive this month.
According to Quadier, their findings could help other scientists conduct further research on the smallpox vaccine against monkeypox.
"Our data further supports the use of vaccines that are being recommended globally to combat MPXV-2022," he said of the new version.
Professor Ivan Hung Fan-Ngai, head of HKU's department of infectious diseases and a member of the vaccine committee, said the study provided "good" references for other scholars, but more research was needed on its use against monkeypox.
Dr. Wilson Lamm, an infectious disease specialist, agreed that there was a lack of high-quality data on prevention of monkeypox with the smallpox vaccine, but added that the study provided "indirect evidence to support the vaccine hypothesis." "Provided. "be provided." be provided.
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