Monkeypox Research: Latest Findings and Future Directions
Recent developments in monkeypox research have focused on developing a mouse model of the disease and conducting clinical trials to evaluate antiviral drugs and vaccines.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). The disease was first identified in 1958 in monkeys kept for research, hence its name. In humans, monkeypox can cause a rash, fever, and other symptoms that are similar to those of smallpox. Although the disease is rare, outbreaks have occurred in Central and West Africa, and in 2003, a monkeypox outbreak occurred in the United States, highlighting the need for better understanding and treatment of the disease.
Recent developments in monkeypox research have focused on developing a mouse model of the disease and conducting clinical trials to evaluate antiviral drugs and vaccines.
In February 2023, scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced the development of a mouse model of the disease. The model allowed the researchers to study the virulence of different strains of MPXV, which could lead to a better understanding of the disease and improved treatments.
In October 2022, a clinical trial began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to evaluate the antiviral drug tecovirimat, also known as TPOXX, for the treatment of monkeypox. The trial will evaluate the safety of the drug and its ability to reduce symptoms and prevent serious outcomes, including death.
In September 2022, a Phase 3 clinical trial began in the United States to evaluate the use of tecovirimat in adults and children with monkeypox infection. The trial aims to enroll more than 500 people from clinical research sites nationwide.
Also in September 2022, a clinical trial began in the United States to evaluate alternative strategies for administering the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine to increase the number of available doses. The trial aims to enroll more than 200 adults across eight research sites.
In August 2022, National Institutes of Health experts wrote an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine outlining the challenges of the monkeypox outbreak and the lessons learned from the responses to the HIV and COVID-19 pandemics.
These recent developments in monkeypox research represent important steps toward better understanding and treating the disease. The mouse model developed by NIAID scientists could lead to new insights into the virulence of different strains of MPXV, while the clinical trials of tecovirimat and the JYNNEOS vaccine will provide valuable information about their safety and effectiveness. The lessons learned from previous public health responses can help guide the response to the current monkeypox outbreak and inform future efforts to prevent and treat infectious diseases.