A COVID-19 Human Viral Challenge Model? Learning from Experience.
Abstract
Abstract. The Controlled Human Infection Model and specifically the
Human Viral Challenge Model are not dissimilar to standard clinical
trials while adding another layer of complexity and safety
considerations. The models deliberately infect volunteers, with an
infectious challenge agent (CA) to determine the effect of the infection
and the potential benefits of the experimental interventions. The Human
Viral Challenge Model studies can shorten the time to assess the
efficacy of a new vaccine or treatment by combining this with the
assessment of safety. The newly emerging SARS-COV-2 virus is highly
contagious and the cause pandemic disease COVID-19. An urgent race in is
on to develop a new vaccine against this virus in a timeframe never
attempted before. The use of the Human Viral Challenge Model has been
proposed to accelerate the development of the vaccine. In the early
2000’s the authors successfully developed a pathogenic Human Viral
Challenge Model for another virus for which there was no effective
treatment and established it to evaluate potential therapies and
vaccines against Respiratory Syncytial Virus. The authors feel that the
experience gained in the development of that model can help with the
development of a COVID-19 HVCM and describe it here. Word count: 197