Testing a vaccine for Chagas disease in monkeys
Official title: Non-inferiority trial of a therapeutic vaccine against Chagas disease in naturally-infected rhesus macaques
Funded at Tulane University of Louisiana · NIH-11010756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaccine for Chagas disease in monkeys to see if it works as well or better than the usual medicine, with the hope of eventually creating a vaccine for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | February 16, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $679,990 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI162907-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals suffering from Chagas disease, particularly those with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Chagas disease or are not experiencing its symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the safety and effectiveness of a therapeutic vaccine against Chagas disease in rhesus macaques that are naturally infected with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The study compares the vaccine's performance against standard drug treatment, benznidazole, to determine if the vaccine can provide similar or better outcomes. By using advanced techniques like blood parasitic load measurement, researchers aim to gather data on the vaccine's efficacy over time. This work is part of a broader effort to develop a human vaccine to combat Chagas disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new, cost-effective vaccine for Chagas disease, improving treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise for vaccines in animal models, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dumonteil, Eric — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Dumonteil, Eric
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.