The guided fire from within: intratumoral administration of mRNA-based vaccines to mobilize memory immunity and direct immune responses against pathogen to target solid tumors.

We investigated a novel cancer immunotherapy strategy that effectively suppresses tumor growth in multiple solid tumor models and significantly extends the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice by introducing pathogen antigens into tumors via mRNA-lipid nanoparticles. The pre-existing immunity against the pathogen antigen can significantly enhance the efficacy of this approach. In mice previously immunized with BNT162b2, an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine encoding the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, intratumoral injections of the same vaccine efficiently tagged the tumor cells with mRNA-expressed spike protein.

The association between baseline viral load and long-term risk in patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a territory-wide study.

COVID-19 can increase the long-term risk of multiorgan dysfunction. Few studies investigated the long-term risk in Asian populations or investigated the association between viral load and long-term risk. We aimed to investigate the post-discharge rates of hospitalization and association with baseline viral load in all patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

Hyperglycemia-triggered lipid peroxidation destabilizes STAT4 and impairs anti-viral Th1 responses in type 2 diabetes.

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more susceptible to severe respiratory viral infections, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that patients with T2D and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, and influenza-infected T2D mice, exhibit defective T helper 1 (Th1) responses, which are an essential component of anti-viral immunity. This defect stems from intrinsic metabolic perturbations in CD4 T cells driven by hyperglycemia.

Efficacy of molnupiravir and interferon for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in golden Syrian hamster.

The mortality and hospitalization rate by COVID-19 dropped significantly currently, but its seasonal outbreaks make antiviral treatment still vital. The mortality and hospitazation rate by COVID-19 dropped significantly currently, but its seasonal ourbreaks make antiviral treatment still vital. In our study, syrian golden hamsters were treated with molnupiravir and interferons (IFNs) after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Baseline Gut Microbiota Was Associated with Long-Term Immune Response at One Year Following Three Doses of BNT162b2.

Background: This study explored neutralizing IgG antibody levels against COVID-19 decline over time post-vaccination. We conducted this prospective cohort study to investigate the function of gut microbiota in the host immune response following three doses of BNT162b2.

Methods: Subjects who received three doses of BNT162b2 were recruited from three centers in Hong Kong.

The impact of vaccine type and booster dose on the magnitude and breadth of SARS-CoV-2-specific systemic and mucosal antibodies among COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on global health and economy, which was significantly mitigated by the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. The levels of systemic and mucosal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 correlated with protection. However, there is limited data on how vaccine type and booster doses affect mucosal antibody response, and how the breadth of mucosal and systemic antibodies compares.

The significance of recurrent de novo amino acid substitutions that emerged during chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection: an observational study.

Background: De novo amino acid substitutions (DNS) frequently emerge among immunocompromised patients with chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection. While previous studies have reported these DNS, their significance has not been systematically studied.

Methods: We performed a review of DNS that emerged during chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Comparative effectiveness of combination therapy with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and remdesivir versus monotherapy with remdesivir or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in patients hospitalised with COVID-19: a target trial emulation study.

Background: Remdesivir (Veklury, Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, USA) and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid, Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) were reported to improve the outcome of patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Preclinical data suggest that nirmatrelvir-ritonavir might be more effective than remdesivir alone or in combination with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for people at high risk of severe COVID-19. We aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of combining remdesivir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir compared with using each drug alone for adults hospitalised with COVID-19.

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte platform in modeling of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background And Aim: Currently, SARS-CoV-2 is still spreading rapidly and globally. A large proportion of patients with COVID-19 developed liver injuries. The human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocytes recapitulate primary human hepatocytes and have been widely used in studies of liver diseases.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Tixagevimab-Cilgavimab: A Target Trial Emulation Study.

Background: Immunocompromised individuals are at high risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and subsequent severe or fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), yet they have suboptimal responses to mRNA and inactivated COVID-19 vaccines. The efficacy of tixagevimab-cilgavimab in reducing symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was demonstrated in phase III clinical trials. Nevertheless, real-world data on the effectiveness and safety of tixagevimab-cilgavimab remain limited.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac in Hong Kong: A target trial emulation.

Objectives: To evaluate the difference between BNT162b2 and CoronaVac in vaccine effectiveness and safety.

Methods: This target trial emulation study included individuals aged ≥12 during 2022. Propensity score matching was applied to ensure group balance.

Immunogenicity and Safety of the Three-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine Regimen in Patients Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: A three-dose regimen is the current standard for COVID-19 vaccination, but systematic data on immunogenicity and safety in chronic kidney disease patients remains limited.

Objectives: We conducted a meta-analysis on the immunogenicity and safety of three-dose COVID-19 vaccination in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods: Systematic literature search in four electronic databases yielded twenty eligible studies (2,117 patients, 94% of whom received mRNA vaccines) for meta-analysis.

Comparison of safety and efficacy between Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and molnupiravir in the treatment of COVID-19 infection in patients with advanced kidney disease: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is used in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with normal or mild renal impairment (eGFR ≥30 ml/min per 1.73 m). There is limited data regarding its use in advanced kidney disease (eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.

Association between Gut Microbiota Composition and Long-Term Vaccine Immunogenicity following Three Doses of CoronaVac.

Background: Neutralizing antibody level wanes with time after COVID-19 vaccination. We aimed to study the relationship between baseline gut microbiota and immunogenicity after three doses of CoronaVac.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study recruiting three-dose CoronaVac recipients from two centers in Hong Kong.

Interaction and antiviral treatment of coinfection between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in vitro.

Background: The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has lasted for three years. Coinfection with seasonal influenza may occur resulting in more severe diseases. The interaction between these two viruses for infection and the effect of antiviral treatment remains unclear.

Integration of metalloproteome and immunoproteome reveals a tight link of iron-related proteins with COVID-19 pathogenesis and immunity.

Increasing clinical data show that the imbalance of host metallome is closely associated with different kinds of disease, however, the intrinsic mechanisms of action of metals in immunity and pathogenesis of disease remain largely undefined. There is lack of multiplexed profiling system to integrate the metalloproteome-immunoproteome information at systemic level for exploring the roles of metals in immunity and disease pathogenesis. In this study, we build up a metal-coding assisted multiplexed proteome assay platform for serum metalloproteomic and immunoproteomic profiling.

Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Rebound of Macrolide-Resistant Infection: A Descriptive Study.

The rebound characteristics of respiratory infections after lifting pandemic control measures were uncertain. From January to November 2023, patients presenting at a teaching hospital were tested for common respiratory viruses and using a combination of antigen, nucleic acid amplification, and targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) tests. The number and rate of positive tests per month, clinical and microbiological characteristics were analyzed.

Thyroid dysfunction in COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 772 million people globally. While lung damage is the major contributor to the morbidity and mortality of this disease, the involvement of multiple organs, including the endocrine glands, has been reported. This Review aims to provide an updated summary of evidence regarding COVID-19 and thyroid dysfunction, incorporating highlights of recent advances in the field, particularly in relation to long COVID and COVID-19 vaccination.

Determination of seroprevalence and kinetics of humoral response using mpox virus A29 protein.

Background: Mpox virus (MPXV), previously known as monkeypox virus, has spread globally in 2022. An accurate and convenient antibody test is essential for the determination of seroprevalence and for studying immune response after natural infection or vaccination. Most seroprevalence or vaccine studies used either live MPXV (or vaccinia virus [VACV]) or inactivated MPXV (or VACV) culture lysate for serological assays, but MPXV culture can only be performed in biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facilities.

Metal-coding assisted serological multi-omics profiling deciphers the role of selenium in COVID-19 immunity.

Uncovering how host metal(loid)s mediate the immune response against invading pathogens is critical for better understanding the pathogenesis mechanism of infectious disease. Clinical data show that imbalance of host metal(loid)s is closely associated with the severity and mortality of COVID-19. However, it remains elusive how metal(loid)s, which are essential elements for all forms of life and closely associated with multiple diseases if dysregulated, are involved in COVID-19 pathophysiology and immunopathology.

Effectiveness of molnupiravir vs nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in non-hospitalised and hospitalised patients with COVID-19: a target trial emulation study.

Background: Molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir have emerged as promising options for COVID-19 treatment, but direct comparisons of their effectiveness have been limited. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these two oral antiviral drugs in non-hospitalised and hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Methods: In this target trial emulation study, we used data from a territory-wide electronic health records database on eligible patients aged ≥18 years infected with COVID-19 who were prescribed either molnupiravir or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir within five days of infection between 16 March 2022 and 31 December 2022 in the non-hospitalised and hospitalised settings in Hong Kong.