New Lung Vaccine Delivery Promises Stronger TB Defense

Research Targets Direct Delivery to Lungs for Enhanced Immunity

A novel approach to delivering the tuberculosis vaccine directly into the lungs could offer significantly improved protection against the world’s deadliest infectious disease, according to a northern Queensland research team.

Revitalizing an Aging Vaccine

The current tuberculosis vaccine, developed in 1921, faces questions about its waning effectiveness in adolescence. This century-old inoculation is administered via injection to the arm, a method potentially less effective against respiratory infections like TB. Researchers at James Cook University are exploring a modified delivery system using a more robust strain of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine.

The team’s findings suggest that direct lung delivery can stimulate a more potent immune response. “This link between how the body repairs the lung after minor injury and how that can lead to better protection against tuberculosis is really what this study is about,” stated lead researcher, associate professor Andreas Kupz.

Addressing a Global Health Crisis

Tuberculosis remains a formidable global health challenge, with the World Health Organization reporting 10.8 million new infections and 1.3 million deaths worldwide in 2023 alone. TB spreads through the air via coughing, sneezing, or speaking, making pulmonary delivery of a vaccine a promising strategy.

Dr. Kupz emphasized that the limited effectiveness of the current vaccine is a significant factor contributing to high global TB rates. “Because it is delivered as an injection after birth, it often doesn’t produce long-term protection against respiratory infections,” he explained.

TB’s Enduring Presence

While largely controlled in Australia, TB continues to be a concern in northern regions, particularly in the Cape York and Torres Strait Islands. Queensland Health data indicates 189 TB infections were treated in the state in 2023. This higher prevalence in northern Australia is linked to its proximity to Papua New Guinea, a country recognized as a global hotspot for TB, including drug-resistant strains.

“There are actually quite a few cases of TB being treated in the Cairns hospital that have come in from Papua New Guinea or the Torres Strait Islands.”

—Andreas Kupz, Associate Professor

In Papua New Guinea, health advocate Anne Clarke noted that the 45,000 TB cases recorded in the past year place a substantial burden on the nation’s health system and economy. She described the exposure to the infectious agent as nearly universal in some areas, stating, “Everybody is affected.”

Future Trials on the Horizon

The research team is hopeful that their findings will pave the way for a more effective TB vaccine, ultimately saving lives. “Pending ethical approvals, we hope to see it go to human trial by the end of 2026 or early 2027,” shared Dr. Kupz.

A 2022 report by the Global TB Network highlighted that while new drug treatments are emerging, vaccine development has lagged significantly, underscoring the critical need for advancements in TB prevention. (Source: Global TB Network, 2022).