Design and computational evaluation of a novel multi-epitope hybrid vaccine against monkeypox virus: Potential targets and immunogenicity assessment for pandemic preparedness.

Monkeypox is a type of DNA-enveloped virus that belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, closely related to the smallpox virus. It can cause an infectious disease in humans known as monkeypox disease. Although there are multiple drugs and vaccines designed to combat orthopoxvirus infections, with a primary focus on smallpox, the recent spread of the monkeypox virus to over 50 countries have ignited a mounting global concern. This unchecked viral proliferation has raised apprehensions about the potential for a pandemic corresponding to the catastrophic impact of COVID-19. This investigation explored the structural proteins of monkeypox virus as potential candidates for designing a novel hybrid multi-epitope vaccine. The epitopes obtained from the selected proteins were screened to ensure their non-allergenicity, non-toxicity, and antigenicity to trigger T and B-cell responses. The interaction of the vaccine with toll-like receptor-3 (TLR-3) and major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) was assessed using Cluspro 2.0. To establish the reliability of the docked complexes, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted using Immune and MD Simulations and Normal Mode Analysis. However, to validate the computational results of this study, additional in-vitro and in-vivo research is essential.

Radiation Therapies in Cancer.

A crucial element of cancer treatment is radiation therapy that is used to destroy tumors and cancer cells through radiation. Another essential component is immunotherapy that helps immune system to combat cancer. The combination of both radiation therapy and immunotherapy is being focused recently for the treatment of many tumors. Chemotherapy includes the use of some chemical agent to control the growth of cancer, whereas irradiation involves the use of radiations of high energy to kill cancer cells. The union of both became the strongest practice in cancer treatment techniques. Specific chemotherapies are combined with radiation in the treatment of cancer after proper preclinical assessment of their effectiveness. Some classes of compounds include platinum-based drugs, antimicrotubules, antimetabolites (5-Fluorouracil, Capecitabine, Gemcitabine, Pemetrexed), topoisomerase I inhibitors, alkylating agents (Temozolomide), and other agents (Mitomycin-C, Hypoxic Sensitizers, Nimorazole).