The fight against the novel coronavirus began in 2020, and it continues. This has changed people’s lives, and we’re ruled by fear and uncertainty these days. On the other hand, it seems that there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic during these hard times and Medical News Today addresses five of them.
DNA vaccine is promising
In a study that appeared in Science on May 20, experts from Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, and other collaborating institutions report that they obtained promising results with a DNA vaccine that they trialed in rhesus macaques.
“Further research will need to address the important questions of the durability of protective immunity and the optimal vaccine platforms for a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for humans,” according to the paper mentioned above.
UK vaccine trial enters phase 2
In the UK, there’s a vaccine that’s already entering the second phase and this looks promising as well. It uses a weakened adenovirus – this is a common cold virus. This carries the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. The role is to teach the immune system to recognize the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and fight it.
The “original” vaccines is well-tolerated
Experts from China revealed that the phase 1 of the first-ever human trial of the vaccine concluded in Wuhan, and now, experts are recruiting for the second phase.
Plasma therapy is safe
Another great news is the fact that the convalescent plasma therapy is safe. Just in case you didn’t know, this approach dates back a century and the premise is to use antibody-bearing blood components from people who have already recovered from an infectious disease. The goal is to treat others who have developed the disease.
Antibody from SARS survivor
Last, by not least, there’s a study in Nature that was accepted for publication – this is the work of experts affiliated with Vir Biotechnology, a biotech company with headquarters in San Francisco, CA. It seems that there’s a new lead for vaccines.
It’s been revealed that an antibody present in the blood of someone who had recovered from SARS could also be effective against SARS-CoV-2.
These are just some of the optimistic signs that we should remain hopeful these days.