First-in-human administration of a live-attenuated RSV vaccine lacking the G-protein assessing safety, tolerability, shedding and immunogenicity: a randomized controlled trial.

Verdijk P, van der Plas JL, van Brummelen EMJ, Jeeninga RE, de Haan CAM, Roestenberg M, Burggraaf J, Kamerling IMC

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in early infancy and in elderly. A pediatric vaccine against RSV would not only prevent morbidity and mortality amongst infants and young children but could also reduce transmission to elderly. The RSVΔG vaccine consists of a live-attenuated RSV that lacks the G attachment protein. RSVΔG is severely impaired in binding to host cells and exhibits reduced infectivity in preclinical studies. Intranasal immunization of cotton rats with RSVΔG vaccine protected against replication of wildtype RSV, without inducing enhanced disease.