Therapeutic vaccine for Chagas disease tested in rhesus macaques
Non-inferiority trial of a therapeutic vaccine against Chagas disease in naturally-infected rhesus macaques
['FUNDING_R01'] · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · NIH-11258905
A therapeutic vaccine is being tested in rhesus macaques naturally infected with Chagas disease to compare its effectiveness with the standard benznidazole drug.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11258905 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project works on a vaccine meant to treat people with Chagas disease, but the current tests are done in rhesus macaques that were naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. The animals are randomly assigned to receive the vaccine alone, the vaccine plus low-dose benznidazole, or the standard benznidazole treatment, and blood parasite levels are measured by PCR at 3 months and 10 months after treatment. Researchers will monitor parasite load and safety to see whether the vaccine performs as well as or better than the drug. Strong results in macaques would support moving the vaccine toward human clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic T. cruzi infection, especially those with or at risk for chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy, would be the likely human candidates for future vaccine trials.
Not a fit: People without T. cruzi infection or those already cured or otherwise ineligible for vaccines would not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine approach could provide an alternative or addition to benznidazole, potentially reducing side effects and improving long-term control of Chagas infection.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preventive and therapeutic vaccines using TSA-1 and Tc24 antigens showed promise in mouse and dog models, but primate and human data remain limited.
Where this research is happening
NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES
- TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA — NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DUMONTEIL, ERIC — TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- Study coordinator: DUMONTEIL, ERIC
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 below.