Research Progress in Therapeutic Vaccine Treatment of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide. The substantial reservoir of latent infections, the emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant TB (MDR/XDR-TB), and the prolonged duration and toxicity of current therapeutic regimens underscore the urgent need for novel treatment strategies. Therapeutic vaccines, an innovative immunotherapeutic approach, are designed to be administered alongside standard pharmacological treatments. By enhancing pathogen-specific immune responses in the host, these vaccines aim to eradicate persistent bacteria, reduce treatment duration, and prevent disease recurrence, thus representing a promising strategy for addressing MDR-TB. This review systematically summarizes the leading therapeutic vaccine candidates currently in clinical trials, detailing the associated mechanisms of action and preclinical and clinical efficacy data. Additionally, the review critically examines existing challenges and outlines future research directions. Overall, this comprehensive analysis seeks to enhance understanding of the potential and development pathways of therapeutic vaccines for TB treatment, contributing to the global effort against this widespread health threat.