NIH awards LIAI major grant to test safety of new smallpox treatment

“In that model, our antibody worked much better at treating smallpox than the currently licensed therapy,” he said. The existing therapy provides only modest protection and is difficult to make because it must be purified from the blood of people who have recently had the smallpox vaccine. “This is another reason our treatment is so appealing,” Dr. Crotty said. “Not only does the anti-H3 antibody provide better protection, but it can easily be produced in very large quantities for stockpiling.”

The smallpox virus has been the subject of intense research interest worldwide in the last several years, prompted by bioterrorism concerns. The virus was mostly eradicated in the U.S. early in the 20th century and vaccinations for the general public were ended in 1972. But in the aftermath of 9-11, new concerns have arisen that the smallpox virus could be used as a bioterrorist agent. Disease experts fear that samples of the smallpox virus may have fallen into the hands of terrorists or dangerous countries at some point. This concern has led to the creation of worldwide stockpiles of the smallpox vaccine over the last several years.

“While we do have a smallpox vaccine, there are concerns because people who are immuno-compromised, including infants and the aged, cannot use the current vaccine,” Dr. Kronenberg said. It is estimated that as much as 10 percent of the U.S. population should not receive the vaccine.

Additionally, if there were a smallpox outbreak, there would be a certain time lapse before people could receive the vaccine. “In general, vaccines are preventive,” said Dr. Crotty. “You must receive the vaccine before you are infected or sick. Otherwise, it won’t do you any good.”

However, unlike the vaccine, the anti-H3 antibody would provide immediate treatment, even if the person had already been exposed. “It would work similar to how an antibiotic treats and for a short time protects against a bacterial infection,” said Dr. Kronenberg. “This could be very important should people become infected before they have a chance to be vaccinated.”

About LIAI

Founded in 1988, the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology is a nonprofit medical research center dedicated to increasing knowledge and improving human health through studies of the immune system. Scientists at the institute carry out research searching for cures for cancer, allergy and asthma, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. LIAI's research staff includes more than 100 Ph.Ds.