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Publications

Journal Article Scoping Review Ppublish

PubMed: 40610004 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2521190

Unleashing the power of the BCG vaccine in modulating viral immunity through heterologous protection: A scoping review.

Hum Vaccin Immunother 21(1):2521190

Authors: Thales A Campelo, Natália S Oliveira, Pedro F N Souza, Denis F G de-Oliveira, Cristiane C Frota, Paulo R Z Antas

Affiliations

  • Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
  • Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Center for Drug Research and Development (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
  • Laboratory of Bioinformatics Applied to Human Health, Center for Drug Research and Development (NPDM), Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
  • National Institute of Science and Technology in Human Pathogenic Fungi (FunVir), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
  • Visiting Researcher at the Cearense Foundation to Support Scientific and Technological Development (FUNCAP), Fortaleza, Brazil.
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Abstract

The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, used against tuberculosis for a century, shows promise in protecting against viral infections through trained/innate immunity. This review maps clinical and preclinical studies on both parental (WT) and recombinant BCG (rBCG) against 17 common viruses. From 68 studies, BCG strains were found to enhance innate immune responses by reprogramming myeloid cells, leading to stronger responses to related infections. Sixteen rBCG candidates expressed viral antigens, activating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and stimulating antibody production specific to the viral antigens. However, challenges like genetic stability and varied efficacy among BCG strains remain. The review highlights the potential of BCG, especially rBCG, as a multivalent vaccine platform for immunization campaigns, with significant public health implications. More translational studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

MeSH

Cells, Antigens, Viral, Bcg Vaccine, Vaccines, Immunity, Immunity, Innate, Infections, Virus Diseases