This narrative review examines therapeutic cancer vaccines, which have undergone a profound renaissance, transitioning from early peptide and dendritic cell-based formulations to next-generation mRNA platforms enabling personalized neoantigen targeting. Despite unprecedented successes—most notably the autogene cevumeran trial in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma achieving durable CD8+ T cell responses, with a model-estimated mean clonal lifespan of 7.7 years in a small phase I trial—a fundamental “durability paradox” persists: robust peripheral T cell responses frequently fail to translate into long-term clinical benefit. This review systematically examines the immunological basis of durable antitumor immunity, the clinical evidence supporting long-lived T cell responses, and the formidable barriers imposed by the tumor microenvironment (TME). We dissect how chronic antigen exposure, metabolic competition, and epigenetic reprogramming—particularly TOX-driven exhaustion—conspire to erode memory T cell pools. We then evaluate engineering strategies to enhance durability, including optimized antigen selection (neoantigens over TAAs), rational adjuvant selection (TLR9/CD40/STING agonists), sustained-release delivery systems (LNPs, polymeric depots), prime-boost scheduling, and combinatorial approaches with immune checkpoint inhibitors and TME modulators. Finally, we discuss emerging biomarkers (TCR clonality tracking, ctDNA dynamics) and future directions, including AI-driven multi-omics modeling and neoadjuvant vaccination. The convergence of compelling decade-scale durability data—from mRNA, UV1, and WT1 peptide vaccines—with next-generation engineering platforms suggests that cancer vaccines may evolve from short-term immune activators into long-term immune sentinels, provided that the dual challenges of T cell stemness preservation and TME immunosuppression are simultaneously addressed.
Background/Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains an important occupational concern for healthcare students exposed to blood and body fluids. This study aimed to characterize hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) concentrations according to reported vaccination history among Romanian dental students and to assess the early serological response to a booster dose in participants with baseline anti-HBs concentrations < 10 mIU/mL who completed follow-up. Methods: This cross-sectional study with a prospective follow-up component included 155 dental students. HBsAg and quantitative anti-HBs were assessed alongside demographic characteristics and self-reported vaccination history. Anti-HBs concentrations were categorized as <10, 10–100, and >100 mIU/mL. The association between vaccination history and anti-HBs category was evaluated using the Fisher–Freeman–Halton test with Monte Carlo estimation. An exploratory multivariable logistic regression examined the association of recent immunization, age, and sex with anti-HBs concentrations ≥ 10 mIU/mL. Results: At baseline, 130/155 participants (83.9%; 95% CI, 77.3–88.8%) had anti-HBs < 10 mIU/mL, whereas 25/155 (16.1%; 95% CI, 11.2–22.7%) had concentrations ≥ 10 mIU/mL. Vaccination history was significantly associated with anti-HBs category (Monte Carlo p < 0.001; Pearson χ2(12) = 96.865; Cramer’s V = 0.559). In the restricted regression sample (n = 111; 21 outcomes), recent immunization was strongly associated with anti-HBs ≥ 10 mIU/mL after adjustment for age and sex (aOR, 28.45; 95% CI, 7.52–107.61; p = 8.09 × 10−7), while age and sex were not significantly associated with the outcome. Of the 130 participants with baseline anti-HBs < 10 mIU/mL, 12 received a booster dose and completed repeat testing approximately one month later; all 12 achieved anti-HBs concentrations > 100 mIU/mL. Conclusions: Most participants had anti-HBs concentrations below the conventional protective threshold, particularly in the absence of recent vaccination. The uniform post-booster response among participants who completed follow-up is consistent with preserved vaccine-induced immune memory despite low baseline antibody concentrations. These findings highlight the importance of documented HBV vaccination and appropriate assessment of hepatitis B immunity among healthcare students at occupational risk.
Background/Objectives: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) remains a major threat to the global swine industry, while the emergence of variant pseudorabies virus (PRV) strains has further complicated disease control in China. This study aimed to develop a PRV-based viral vector platform for PRRSV antigen delivery and evaluate its safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy. Methods: A five-gene-deleted variant PRV strain, PRV-JM-DF, was used as the vector backbone. Candidate genomic insertion sites and endogenous late promoters were systematically screened, followed by construction of recombinant PRVs expressing PRRSV GP2, GP3, GP4, GP5, and M individually or as tandem antigen constructs. Recombinant viruses were characterized for antigen expression, replication, and genetic stability. Safety and immunogenicity were initially evaluated in female BALB/c mice, and the leading candidates were further assessed for safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy in 18 Landrace pigs of either sex following challenge with highly pathogenic PRRSV HuN4. Results: The TK locus supported efficient foreign-gene expression, and pUL39 exhibited the highest activity among the tested endogenous late promoters. The recombinant viruses retained replication competence and genetic stability. Among the candidates, rPRV-C-4T induced robust PRRSV- and PRV-specific neutralizing antibody responses and showed no obvious adverse effects during the experimental observation period in pigs. Following HP-PRRSV HuN4 challenge, all rPRV-C-4T-immunized pigs survived and exhibited reduced viremia, viral shedding and tissue viral loads, together with markedly alleviated pathological lesions. Conclusions: rPRV-C-4T provided protection against homologous HP-PRRSV HuN4 challenge while maintaining PRV-directed immune responses, supporting its potential as a PRV-vectored multivalent vaccine candidate.
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major preventable cause of cervical and other HPV-related cancers. Despite the proven effectiveness of HPV vaccination, knowledge gaps and misconceptions continue to limit vaccine uptake among young adults. This study aimed to evaluate HPV awareness, attitudes and beliefs regarding HPV testing, and vaccination-related health beliefs among young adults and to examine the relationships among these constructs. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 313 young adults aged 18–25 years in Turkey. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a Personal Information Form, the HPV Awareness and Concern Scale, the HPV Testing Attitudes and Beliefs Scale, and the Health Belief Model Scale for HPV Infection and Vaccination. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analyses, and post hoc tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Although most participants were aware of HPV and its association with cervical cancer, substantial knowledge gaps remained regarding the appropriate timing and purpose of HPV vaccination. Most participants recognized that sexual activity was not a prerequisite for vaccination, whereas awareness of HPV-related cancers other than cervical cancer remained limited. HPV awareness was positively correlated with attitudes and beliefs regarding HPV testing (r = 0.239, p < 0.01) and vaccination-related health beliefs (r = 0.337, p < 0.01). Similarly, HPV testing attitudes and beliefs were positively associated with vaccination-related health beliefs (r = 0.228, p < 0.01). These findings indicate that, despite relatively high HPV awareness, important misconceptions and knowledge gaps regarding HPV vaccination persist among young adults. Conclusions: Targeted educational interventions, evidence-based social media campaigns, and healthcare professional-led counselling strategies may contribute to improving vaccine acceptance and strengthening HPV-related cancer prevention efforts.
As the sole viral protein expressed on the surface of viral particles and infected cells, the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein is the most important target for vaccine development. Structurally defined sites of vulnerability recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) serve as major targets for vaccine design, including V1V2 apex, V3 base glycan, CD4-binding site, fusion peptide, and membrane proximal external region. Although well-established for affinity-matured antibody binding and antigenicity, these sites are not necessarily immunogenic. Three approaches have been undertaken to work around this problem: stabilizing native-like trimers, targeting bNAb germlines, and developing booster immunizations based on envelope-bNAb coevolution. With these approaches, breakthroughs have been made in vaccine-elicited neutralization gaining breadth, thus supporting certain immunogens and regimens over others. Here, from the perspectives of HIV-1 envelope and antibody genetics as well as structures, we systematically review the most recent advances in envelope-based vaccines and their remaining barriers. We also summarize lessons learned about HIV-1 envelope immunogenicity and discuss potential strategies for future development.
