SYDNEY, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists have unveiled a powerful new strategy to create long-lasting vaccines and potentially revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by harnessing a rare and memory-rich immune cell.
Australia's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) said in a press release on Thursday that researchers combined advanced mRNA vaccine technology with a novel immunomodulation approach to boost the production of stem cell-like memory CD8+ T cells. These unique immune cells can self-renew and remember infections for decades, offering the promise of lifelong protection.
While most current vaccines rely heavily on antibodies, which wane over time and require frequent boosters, these memory T cells provide durable, long-term immunity, said Joanna Groom, the study's lead author and Head of WEHI's Immunology Division.
The breakthrough could pave the way for next-generation vaccines that no longer need regular boosters to stay effective, even against fast-mutating viruses like influenza and COVID-19, said the study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
"Like elephants, stem cell-like CD8+ T cells have the ability to 'remember' previous infections and respond rapidly to threats," said the press release.
"We were incredibly excited at how effective our new vaccine strategy was at boosting these cells," Groom said, adding, "Our approach has the potential to reduce the need for frequent booster shots, while maintaining strong and lasting immunity."
The discovery also holds promise for cancer treatment, as higher levels of stem cell-like CD8+ T cells are linked to better cancer outcomes, the study showed.
The team is now working on adapting the method to develop cancer vaccines, said the study's first author and the University of Melbourne PhD student Benjamin Broomfield. ■
