TZ1391: a computationally designed circular mRNA multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Mycobacterium tuberculosis via TLR3 immunomodulation

Ali, A., Alamri, A., Mishra, V.K. et al.  BMC Immunol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12865-025-00795-4

Abstract

Graphical Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a major global health burden due to latent infection, multidrug resistance, and the limited efficacy of the BCG vaccine. To address this challenge, we computationally designed and evaluated a circular mRNA-based multi-epitope vaccine candidate, TZ1391. Five experimentally validated M. tuberculosis antigens (ESAT-6, CFP-10, Ag85B, PPE18, and HspX) were used to predict immunodominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), helper T lymphocyte (HTL), and B-cell epitopes.

Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Using 30 and 300 mg Maintenance Doses

Upton JEM, Toscano-Rivero D, Ke D, Berenjy A et al.  J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2025 Oct 16:S2213-2198(25)00958-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2025.10.007. 

Abstract

Background

The lowest dose of peanut oral immunotherapy (P-OIT) has not been determined.

Objective

To evaluate whether very low-dose oral immunotherapy (30 mg) may safely and effectively increase tolerated doses and induce immunologic changes.

Methods

Visual Summary

We prospectively enrolled peanut-allergic children reactive to 444 mg peanut protein (PP) or less in double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) and randomly assigned them to three groups. Two were double-blinded P-OIT groups escalating to 30 mg (Group 30 mg) or 300 mg (Group 300 mg) PP maintenance doses. A third group followed open-label avoidance (Group Avoid). Cumulative tolerated doses of 443 mg or greater and 1,043 mg or greater PP were compared with Group Avoid by DBPCFC planned at 1 year.

Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis: A Case Report

Aparicio E E, Guerrero D V, Alcántara V D, et al. (December 26, 2025) Cureus 17(12): e100143. doi:10.7759/cureus.100143

Abstract

Cutaneous manifestations of hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis

Urticarial vasculitis (UV) is an inflammatory condition that affects small vessels, generating urticarial lesions with wheals lasting >24 hours. It can be divided into two main groups: normocomplementemic (NUV) and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV). The latter is a rare condition, whose association with autoimmune diseases, primarily systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), makes its diagnosis difficult.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Induction of Confirmed Eosinophilic Esophagitis as a Side Effect of Allergen Immunotherapy: An EAACI Task Force Report

Rossi CM, Terreehorst I, Apostolidou E et al. Allergy. 2025 Dec 16. doi: 10.1111/all.70183.

ABSTRACT

Risk of bias (RoB) domains for the randomized controlled trials (RCT)
on the development of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) after allergen
immunotherapy (AIT).

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) established a Task Force to assess the existing data on the relationship between eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and allergen immunotherapy (AIT). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to study the incidence of confirmed EoE, developing as a side effect of AIT to food or airborne allergens, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The literature search was performed in three databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus). Databases were searched from inception to March 31st, 2023. A total of 17 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review.

Unravelling allergic rhinitis: exploring pathophysiology, advances in treatment, and future directions.

Singh AK, Shaili S, Siddiqui A et al. Front Allergy. 2025 Dec 4;6:1636415. doi: 10.3389/falgy.2025.1636415.

Abstract

The pathophysiology of AR results in typical examination findings 
(A) the allergic salute. (B) Allergic shiners. (C) Dennie-Morgan lines.
 (D) Facial grimacing or twitching. This is related to nasal itching. 
(E) Nasal creasing related to the allergic salute. (F) Allergic facies. 
(G) Typical nasal mucosa.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a complex, multifactorial condition that continues to pose significant clinical and public health challenges, despite the availability of established therapeutic strategies. It significantly contributes to a lower quality of life by causing sleep issues, mental fatigue, and a decline in productivity. A thorough grasp of AR is crucial to enhancing diagnosis and treatment results because of its pervasive effects and ongoing management gaps. This review covers a wide range of topics, such as classification schemes, historical perception, and physical consequences of AR.

Comparative efficacy of omalizumab, dupilumab, and remibrutinib in chronic spontaneous urticaria: a network meta-analysis of randomized control trials

Xiong G, Rayner DG, Kim L et al. J Dermatolog Treat. 2025 Dec;36(1):2580374. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2025.2580374.

Abstract
Introduction

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a skin condition that significantly impairs quality of life. While omalizumab remains the standard treatment for patients who have failed antihistamines, emerging therapies show promise in randomized control trials (RCTs). This study aims to compare the relative efficacy of omalizumab, dupilumab, and remibrutinib in CSU.

Methods
Four databases were searched for RCTs evaluating omalizumab (75/150/300 mg Q4W), dupilumab (300 mg Q2W), or remibrutinib (25 mg BID) in CSU. Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), Itch Severity Score (ISS7), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; DLQI 0/1), disease control (UAS7 ≤ 6), and symptom remission (UAS7 = 0) were assessed at weeks 12/24. Frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis were conducted in R.

Results

Forest plot depicting reduction in UAS7 compared to placebo
at week 12 of dupilumab 300 mg biweekly, omalizumab 300 mg,
150 mg, or 75 mg every four weeks, and remibrutinib 25 mg
twice daily.

Fifteen studies (4,913 patients) were included. Omalizumab 300 mg demonstrated the greatest efficacy in UAS7, ISS7, symptom remission, and disease control at both timepoints. Remibrutinib showed the greatest DLQI improvement and second-highest UAS7 reduction and odds of symptom remission.

A retrospective cohort study on the association between allergic rhinitis, sublingual immunotherapy, and COVID-19 symptomatology

Zhang, YY., Lu, MP., Chen, YB. et al. Sci Rep (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-31902-5

Abstract

The impacts of allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergen-specific sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AR and SLIT on symptoms of COVID-19 within one month after Chinese authorities adjusted their COVID-19 response measures. The study enrolled 1368 participants, including 746 AR patients and 622 controls without allergic diseases. SLIT was administered to 122 infected AR patients (AR with SLIT group), while it was not administered to the other 483 infected AR patients (AR without SLIT group). Patients’ outcomes were compared after propensity score matching (PSM). The data showed that AR played a dual role in COVID-19, acting as both a protective factor against respiratory symptoms and a risk factor increasing the likelihood of olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions and fever, compared to non-allergic individuals.

Nirsevimab vs RSVpreF Vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus–Related Hospitalization in Newborns

Jabagi M, Bertrand M, Gabet A et al.  JAMA. Published online December 22, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.24082

Key Points

• Question  How does maternal vaccination with the respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F protein (RSVpreF) vaccine compare with passive infant immunization with nirsevimab for the prevention of RSV-related hospitalization?
• Findings  In this French nationwide study, infant immunization with nirsevimab was associated with a lower risk of RSV-related hospitalization compared with maternal vaccination with the RSVpreF vaccine (hazard ratio, 0.74). The risk of severe outcomes, including admission to the pediatric intensive care unit and requiring ventilator support or oxygen therapy, was also lower.
• Meaning  Compared with maternal vaccination with the RSVpreF vaccine during the first RSV season in France, infant immunization with nirsevimab was associated with a lower risk of RSV-related hospitalization.

Abstract

Importance  Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of hospitalization in infants. The comparative effectiveness of 2 recently introduced preventive strategies (infant immunization through placental antibody transfer after maternal vaccination with the RSV prefusion F protein [RSVpreF] vaccine and passive infant immunization with nirsevimab) remains unknown.

Objective  To compare the associations of maternal vaccination with the RSVpreF vaccine vs passive infant immunization with nirsevimab for the prevention of RSV-related hospitalization.

Design, Setting, and Participants  This population-based cohort study used data from the French National Health Data System. Maternal vaccination with the RSVpreF vaccine occurred during 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation among infants born in mainland France between September 1 and December 31, 2024. Passive infant immunization with nirsevimab occurred prior to hospital discharge. Infants were matched 1:1 by maternity ward discharge date, sex, gestational age, and region. Follow-up ended at the time of RSV hospitalization or death or on February 28, 2025.

Exposures  Maternal immunization with the RSVpreF vaccine and passive infant immunization with nirsevimab.

Main Outcomes and Measures  The primary outcome was hospitalization for RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection. The secondary outcomes included admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), admission to high-dependency unit, ventilator support, and oxygen therapy. The hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using conditional Cox proportional hazards models with inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Comparative Analysis for Primary Outcome of Hospitalization
for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)–Associated Lower Respiratory
Tract Infection and Secondary Outcomes Among Matched Infants

Results  A total of 42 560 infants (mean age, 3.7 [SD, 1.4] days; 51.7% male) were included in the study (21 280 per group) with a median follow-up of 84 days (IQR, 70-99 days). Of the 481 hospitalizations for RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection, 212 (44.1%) occurred in the nirsevimab group vs 269 (55.9%) in the RSVpreF vaccine group (between-group difference, −11.8% [95% CI, −18.1% to −5.5%]).