According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention over 35,000 Americans die every year due to complications of influenza. Now, a new method of developing an anti –flu virus efficiently and time effectively promises hope.
A genetically engineered flu vaccine grown in the cells of the fall armyworm also known as the yellow striped caterpillar, rather than in the eggs of hens is one of the latest approaches to preventing the spread of influenza.
Although the results are in the initial stages it is being implied that this “insect - cell- based vaccine” could be faster, simpler and more effective than the old fashioned “egg- based” technique now in use.
Study authors from the University of Rochester, the University of Virginia, and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, published their findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association today, April 11. Doctor John Treanor from New York's University of Rochester, led the research.
As part of their experiment the researchers used the vaccine, planned as a protection against three common strains of influenza and called FluBl0k, on 451 healthy subjects, from 18 to 49 years, during the flu season in 2004-2005.
One third of the subjects were given a smaller dose of the vaccine; one third were administered a larger dose while the third group received a placebo injection with no vaccine.
The following observations were then made. Over 50% of those who were given the smaller dose also developed a strong immune response, although two of them did get the flu. On the other hand, seven of the patients who were given the placebo did contract the flu.
Treanor and his team concluded that 86 percent protection was provided by the two different doses of vaccine. This was as effective as the commercially available flu shots.
The scientists claim that this “insect - cell- based vaccine” method of producing the vaccine is a far better one for several reasons.
Since this method focuses on a single protein in the flu virus it is a comparatively quicker and easier technique of producing the vaccine.
Normally, the virus is taken from an infected person, purified and then bred in fertilized chicken eggs. But this is a long drawn out process, taking as long as six to nine months to be completed during which time anything can easily go wrong with it. In comparison the cell-culture method can shorten the process by a month or two.
Because of this, a larger supply of the vaccine can be easily manufactured to fight any current pandemic and to build up a reserve for future needs.
Again, if the next pandemic was to be caused by H5N1 or any avian flu virus which affects poultry, it may not be advisable to depend on egg-based vaccines.
Besides this a person who is allergic to eggs is not able to avail of the egg based vaccine. Now, that need no longer be an issue.
Treanor pointed out in a telephone interview that at present there is not enough vaccine in the United States to vaccinate everybody who may need it. This would solve the problem.
Protein Sciences Corp. of Meriden, Connecticut, the manufacturer of the vaccine funded the research.
