Belgium-Based Scientists Confirm Challenges with Pfizer mRNA Vax, Need Updates to Address Changing SARS-CoV-2 Virus

Constant Gillot Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Unit, Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences, Namur Thrombosis and Hemostasis Center, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium and colleagues report that during early 2024 the JN.1 variant that presented a Leu455Ser substitution in the spike (S) protein emerged as superior over XBB.1.5. And more recently JN.1 evolved into JN.1 subvariants including KP.2 (JN.1.11.1.2) and KP.3 (JN.1.11.1.2). The two variants introduce additional substitutions in S such as Arg346Thr, Phe456Leu, and Gln493Glu. These key mutations are associated with increased binding affinity to the ACE2 receptor and potential immune escape according to multiple studies cited by the authors. What’s Gillot and colleagues' hypothesis?  JN.1 subvariants have spread rapidly throughout the world and have become the dominant variants replacing JN.1. Yet they have not yet been escalated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to variants of concern.

It is a fascinating study into a measurement of correlates of protection of COVID-19 vaccines in the context of a dynamic, mutating pathogen as published in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM).