Saeed TS, Saeed MR, Abdullah MF, Qureshi MS, Saeed A, Munawar S, Saifullah M, Rana I. Messenger RNA vaccines for tuberculosis prevention: A narrative review of current research and prospects. World J Pharmacol 2025; 14(1): 110200 [DOI: 10.5497/wjp.v14.i1.110200]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ikra Rana, MD, Department of Medicine, International School of Medicine, International University of Kyrgyzstan, 6 Street, Bishkek 720074, Kyrgyzstan. ikrarana100@gmail.com
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Immunology
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Minireviews
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Nov 19, 2025 (publication date) through Nov 23, 2025
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World Journal of Pharmacology
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2220-3192
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Saeed TS, Saeed MR, Abdullah MF, Qureshi MS, Saeed A, Munawar S, Saifullah M, Rana I. Messenger RNA vaccines for tuberculosis prevention: A narrative review of current research and prospects. World J Pharmacol 2025; 14(1): 110200 [DOI: 10.5497/wjp.v14.i1.110200]
World J Pharmacol. Nov 19, 2025; 14(1): 110200 Published online Nov 19, 2025. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v14.i1.110200
Messenger RNA vaccines for tuberculosis prevention: A narrative review of current research and prospects
Tanzeela Sameen Saeed, Muhammad Ramish Saeed, Muhammad Fahad Abdullah, Muhammad Shoaib Qureshi, Armeen Saeed, Sajal Munawar, Muneeb Saifullah, Ikra Rana
Tanzeela Sameen Saeed, Department of Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Ramish Saeed, Muneeb Saifullah, Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Fahad Abdullah, Armeen Saeed, Sajal Munawar, Department of Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Shoaib Qureshi, Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, King Edward Medical University, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Ikra Rana, Department of Medicine, International School of Medicine, International University of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek 720074, Kyrgyzstan
Author contributions: Saeed TS and Saeed MR conceived the manuscript and provided critical revisions; Abdullah MF, Qureshi MS, Saeed A, and Munawar S contributed to the drafting and editing of the manuscript; Saifullah M and Rana I were involved in literature review, manuscript preparation, and final revisions; all authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Ikra Rana, MD, Department of Medicine, International School of Medicine, International University of Kyrgyzstan, 6 Street, Bishkek 720074, Kyrgyzstan. ikrarana100@gmail.com
Received: June 3, 2025 Revised: August 7, 2025 Accepted: October 15, 2025 Published online: November 19, 2025 Processing time: 167 Days and 15.8 Hours
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical global health challenge, with 10.8 million new cases and over 1.25 million deaths reported annually, disproportionately affecting low-income regions. Despite its use, the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine provides limited protection against adult pulmonary TB, necessitating novel solutions. The messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology, proven effective in combating coronavirus disease 2019, offers significant promise for TB prevention. These vaccines elicit robust immune responses by encoding antigens that stimulate humoral and cell-mediated immunity, essential for combating mycobacterium TB. Unlike traditional methods, mRNA vaccines are highly adaptable, scalable, and capable of targeting emerging strains. Preclinical studies highlight the enhanced efficacy of mRNA TB vaccines over BCG, demonstrating their ability to reduce bacterial burdens and generate memory T-cell responses critical for long-term protection. However, challenges persist, including mRNA instability, cold-chain storage needs, and mycobacterium’s complex immune evasion strategies. Innovative solutions, such as lipid nanoparticle delivery systems and self-amplifying mRNA platforms, are being developed to address these barriers. The initiation of clinical trials, notably BioNTech’s BNT164, marks a pivotal advancement in TB vaccine development. These trials focus on safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy, particularly in regions with high TB prevalence. While logistical and financial hurdles remain, mRNA vaccines hold transformative potential to bridge critical gaps in TB prevention. Their adaptability extends to tackling co-infections like human immunodeficiency virus, further amplifying their impact on global health. By integrating mRNA vaccines into existing TB control strategies, these advancements could revolutionize prevention efforts, especially in regions where current solutions fall short. Continued innovation and investment are crucial to harnessing the full potential of mRNA vaccines, positioning them as a cornerstone in the fight against TB and its global eradication.
Core Tip: This narrative review explores the emerging role of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in the prevention of tuberculosis (TB). It highlights their immunological advantages, summarizes promising preclinical and early clinical findings, and critically discusses the limitations of current models, including TB pathogenesis, immune evasion, and vaccine delivery challenges. The narrative review provides a forward-looking perspective on how mRNA platforms could overcome the shortcomings of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine and reshape global TB prevention strategies.
