Current Clinical Trials for the Monkeypox Virus

Background Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic Orthopoxvirus causing smallpox-like symptoms. Before April 2022, MPX cases outside Africa were rare. The virus can spread through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, respiratory droplets, and household items such as towels and blankets. Aim This study was a...

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Main Author: Mahmoud Kandeel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-04-01
Series:Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Journal
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.1007/s44229-023-00029-y
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author Mahmoud Kandeel
author_facet Mahmoud Kandeel
author_sort Mahmoud Kandeel
collection DOAJ
description Background Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic Orthopoxvirus causing smallpox-like symptoms. Before April 2022, MPX cases outside Africa were rare. The virus can spread through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, respiratory droplets, and household items such as towels and blankets. Aim This study was aimed at highlighting the dire need for vaccination and treatment against this infection. Several in-process clinical trials that may help overcome MPX infection are discussed. Methods A search for recent clinical studies was conducted in the clinicaltrials.gov database. Results A total of 15 trials were identified. After February 2022, 14 new trials were launched. Of the 15 trials, 9 were observational studies, 3 were treatment studies and 3 were preventive studies. MPX clinical trial topics were classified into four broad categories: MPX virus shedding and clearance; response to MPX vaccine; antiviral treatment for MPX; and awareness regarding MPX. One medication, tecovirimat, and two vaccines are currently in clinical trials. Conclusions Few treatments and vaccines are under evaluation. Although multiple trials have been conducted, evidence to determine the present state of MPX infection is currently insufficient. Global collaboration is required to achieve complete understanding of the epidemiology, prevention and control of MPX.
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spelling doaj-art-e7fc5afd1b614a6e9ab452c6c06e8d522025-08-20T03:36:42ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsDr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Journal2666-819X2590-33492023-04-0152505710.1007/s44229-023-00029-yCurrent Clinical Trials for the Monkeypox VirusMahmoud KandeelBackground Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic Orthopoxvirus causing smallpox-like symptoms. Before April 2022, MPX cases outside Africa were rare. The virus can spread through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, respiratory droplets, and household items such as towels and blankets. Aim This study was aimed at highlighting the dire need for vaccination and treatment against this infection. Several in-process clinical trials that may help overcome MPX infection are discussed. Methods A search for recent clinical studies was conducted in the clinicaltrials.gov database. Results A total of 15 trials were identified. After February 2022, 14 new trials were launched. Of the 15 trials, 9 were observational studies, 3 were treatment studies and 3 were preventive studies. MPX clinical trial topics were classified into four broad categories: MPX virus shedding and clearance; response to MPX vaccine; antiviral treatment for MPX; and awareness regarding MPX. One medication, tecovirimat, and two vaccines are currently in clinical trials. Conclusions Few treatments and vaccines are under evaluation. Although multiple trials have been conducted, evidence to determine the present state of MPX infection is currently insufficient. Global collaboration is required to achieve complete understanding of the epidemiology, prevention and control of MPX.https://journals.lww.com/10.1007/s44229-023-00029-ymonkeypoxvirusclinical trialsvaccinetreatment
spellingShingle Mahmoud Kandeel
Current Clinical Trials for the Monkeypox Virus
Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Journal
monkeypox
virus
clinical trials
vaccine
treatment
title Current Clinical Trials for the Monkeypox Virus
title_full Current Clinical Trials for the Monkeypox Virus
title_fullStr Current Clinical Trials for the Monkeypox Virus
title_full_unstemmed Current Clinical Trials for the Monkeypox Virus
title_short Current Clinical Trials for the Monkeypox Virus
title_sort current clinical trials for the monkeypox virus
topic monkeypox
virus
clinical trials
vaccine
treatment
url https://journals.lww.com/10.1007/s44229-023-00029-y
work_keys_str_mv AT mahmoudkandeel currentclinicaltrialsforthemonkeypoxvirus