Please keep in mind variant B.1.167 out of India is still considered a variant of interest, not a variant of concern. B.1.167 lineage isolates are actually common in India and while it carries mutations E484Q and L452R, it does not carry any deletion mutations we see in current
variants of concern. Lastly, this variant was present in India last year, and while media highlights the presence of it in the UK as recent, it’s first occurrence in the UK dates back to February 22nd. The claims that it bypasses T-cell immunity are NOT currently substantiated.
The most important thing as always is to get vaccinated and control its spread. Let’s stay focused. Current variants of concern are: B.1.351, P.1, B.1.1.7, and B.1.427/B.1.429.
Also, please don’t even try the “she doesn’t take this seriously.” I wouldn’t be doing what I do if I didn’t. The difference is I value facts over fear.
Also, yes. I meant B.1.617. Really need that edit button. I notice these things too late.
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THIS IS HUGE! An HIV PrEP drug candidate in the form of a twice-yearly subcutaneous injection has been shown to reduce HIV infections by 96% in a SECOND late-stage Phase III trial. Lenacapavir was 99.9% effective at preventing HIV in MORE THAN 2,000 participants.🧵⬇️
These results come from the PURPOSE 2 trial evaluating Gilead Sciences’ twice-yearly, subcutaneous Lenacapavir in individuals aged 16 years or older. Lenacapavir, which is a capsid inhibitor, is already approved by the FDA under the brand name Sunlenca for use alongside other
So, not COVID related BUT, this is REALLY exciting news. Phase I/II data shows Moderna’s Norovirus vaccine candidate mRNA-1403, has shown early signs of efficacy AND elicited robust serum HBGA-blocking antibody responses against ALL THREE NoV genotypes. Let’s talk about that!🧵⬇️
At IDWeek 2024, Moderna presented interim results from an ongoing Phase I/II, randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trial (NCT05992935) for mRNA-1403, a prophylactic vaccine candidate under investigation for norovirus (NoV) infections.
As one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, NoV is associated with a substantial healthcare burden. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea, which can be severely dehydrating, and the risk of severe outcomes from NoV is greatest in young children and older
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at JHU have developed an experimental drug called RK-33, that in preclinical studies has shown promise in treating breast cancer with bone metastases. RK-33 eliminated the metastases AND prevented further cancer spread. Let’s talk about that!🧵⬇️
In a new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the drug RK-33 has demonstrated promise in treating breast cancer that has spread to the bone (breast cancer bone metastasis). RK-33 was previously shown to help treat other types of cancer and viral illnesses.
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at Lancaster University have developed RI-AG03, a peptide inhibitor, that in preclinical studies PREVENTED the build-up of harmful Tau proteins in the brain, which are believed to be a key driver of Alzheimer’s disease. Let’s talk about that! 🧵⬇️
Tau proteins are essential for maintaining the structure and function of neurons. However, in Alzheimer’s disease, these proteins malfunction and aggregate into long, twisted fibrils. As these fibrils build up, they form neurofibrillary tangles- masses of tangled tau proteins
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a vaccine against the bacterium Clostridioides difficile (C.diff), that in preclinical studies, protected against succumbing from infection AND prevented recurring cases. Let’s talk about that! 🧵⬇️
The bacterium Clostridioides difficile is named “difficult” for a reason. Originally, it was hard to grow in the lab, and, now, it’s the source of gut infections that are tough to treat. About half a million people in the U.S. contract C. diff every year, often from hospitals-
THIS IS HUGE! Scientists at the University of Oxford are developing the world's FIRST ovarian cancer vaccine that could potentially wipe the disease out. OvarianVax teaches the immune system to recognize and attack the earliest stages of ovarian cancer. Let’s talk about that!🧵⬇️
The hope is that individuals could receive the vaccine preventatively with the goal of eradicating the disease. Researchers have suggested it could work in a similar way to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is on track to stamp out cervical cancer.
Oxford researchers are designing OvarianVax, a vaccine which teaches the immune system to recognize and attack the earliest stages of ovarian cancer. The team will receive up to £600,000 for the study over the next three years to support lab research into the vaccine.