Scientists Clone Respiratory Virus; Work Likely to Lead to Vaccine for Common Childhood Illness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 1997

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Rob Whitehouse, 216/444-8927
Jim Armstrong, 216/444-9455

LERNER RESEARCH INSTITUTE SCIENTISTS CLONE RESPIRATORY VIRUS; WORK LIKELY TO LEAD TO VACCINE FOR COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESS

Scientists at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute have successfully cloned the genome of human parainfluenza virus from which infectious virus can be produced, raising hope that a vaccine will be available within a few years. This virus is responsible for acute respiratory illnesses in children.

The human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) type 3 is the second most common respiratory virus in children, behind only respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). HPIV is the leading cause of croup in young children and is an important factor in lower respiratory tract diseases such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis among infants. Currently, clinicians can treat only the symptoms of HPIV, not the virus itself.

Using an approach that had been successfully accomplished only a few times before with other viruses, Amiya K. Banerjee, Ph.D., and Michael A. Hoffman, Ph.D., of The Lerner Research Institute's Department of Molecular Biology, have accomplished this first critical step toward the development of a vaccine. They will now mutate the DNA clone to produce a crippled virus that will hopefully generate an immune response in the body without causing disease.

Dr. Banerjee believes a vaccine could be on the market within two to three years, if all goes well during future laboratory and clinical trials. Dr. Banerjee, chairman of The Lerner Research Institute's Department of Molecular Biology, is a leader in the field of virology who has been studying viruses for more than 30 years.

Earlier this year, other researchers at the Lerner Research Institute reported that a new "designer drug" called 2-5A antisense significantly inhibited the growth of RSV in tissue cultures. Clinical trials for 2-5A antisense could begin within two to three years, depending on the continued success of preclinical studies.

"It's about time we turn the tables on viruses -- we'll attack them, instead them attacking us," said Dr. Banerjee. "With these recent developments, The Lerner Research Institute certainly is emerging as a leader in virology." The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, founded in 1921, integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education in a private, non-profit group practice. Last year at the Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida, over 850 full-time salaried physicians representing more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties provided for 1,182,300 outpatient visits and 49,987 hospital admissions for patients from throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. In 1997, the Cleveland Clinic Health System -- comprising The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Fairview, Lakewood, Lutheran, Marymount, Meridia Euclid, Meridia Hillcrest, Meridia Huron and Meridia South Pointe hospitals -- was formed. With 2,957 staffed beds, the Cleveland Clinic Health System offers broad geographic coverage, a full continuum of care, improved quality and lower cost of care to Northeast Ohio residents.

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