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Toward Precision Vaccinology for Mpox: Rational Antigen Design, Next-Generation Platforms, and Immune Correlates of Protection

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Mpox has emerged as a global public health concern, highlighting the limitations of traditional vaccinia-based vaccination strategies and the urgent need for precision vaccinology approaches. Advances in structural virology and immunoinformatics have enabled the identification of conserved immunodominant antigens from both mature virion and extracellular virion forms, supporting the development of multivalent antigen combinations capable of inducing broad neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses. Emerging delivery technologies including mRNA-lipid nanoparticles, viral vectors, and self-assembling protein nanoparticles offer rapid scalability, enhanced immunogenicity, and improved safety compared with conventional live-attenuated vaccines. Addressing antigenic evolution, vaccine supply limitations, and population-specific immune variability will be crucial for optimizing vaccine effectiveness. This review synthesizes current evidence on antigen design, vaccine delivery platforms, and immunological correlates of protection to outline a framework for next-generation mpox vaccines. Precision vaccinology therefore represents a transformative strategy for developing durable, clade-specific mpox vaccines and strengthening preparedness against future orthopoxvirus outbreaks worldwide.

Source: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease

DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed11090244

Authors: Yithenthrathevinair K Paramasivam, Nur Syafiqah Mohamad Nasir, Mohd Zulkifli Salleh

Institutions: Universiti Sains Malaysia, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Language: English

Topic: Poxvirus research and outbreaks

Subfield: Virology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258