NXT-2 (fungal infection vaccine)

2023: Vaccine Creation

In late January 2023, it became known about the development at the University of Georgia of the first vaccine (called NXT-2), directed against the three most common human fungal infections, which shows promising results in early preclinical studies. The vaccine reduced morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressive animals exposed to three key pathogenic fungi.

The study reports on an experimental vaccine created in several animal models. The study found that the vaccine, dubbed NXT-2, effectively triggered a broad cross-reaction of antibodies in all animal models. The vaccine also reduced morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressive animals exposed to three key pathogenic fungi. All studies were approved by the University of Georgia Institutional Committee on Animal Care and Use.

First vaccine created against deadly fungal infections

Invasive fungal infections at the end of 2022 represent a major public health challenge with high rates of morbidity and mortality even with medical intervention. In hospitalized patients, the diagnosis of fungus is associated with a doubling of length of stay, cost of stay, and risk of death compared to patients without fungal infections.

Based on evidence of protective efficacy of KEX1-based candidate vaccines against pneumocystis and aspergillus, scientists have developed a "pan-fungal" protein based on the consistent amino acid sequence of conserved regions of multiple fungal pathogens. In this study, the scientists evaluated the use of this recombinant pan-fungal protein (NXT-2) to prevent mortality and improve incidence associated with infection with fungal diseases in immune-suppressed models of aspergillosis, candidiasis and pneumocystosis. The NXT-2 vaccine in early 2023 positively induced extensive antibody responses in all animal models. The drug reduced morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised animals exposed to three major pathogenic fungi.^[1]

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