Vaccine and immune therapy for Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis)
Project #3:Active Vaccination and Immunotherapy Against Coccidioidomycosis
Testing new vaccine approaches that teach the immune system to protect people at risk of Valley fever.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas San Antonio NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251797 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing vaccines that make a person’s own cells produce key Coccidioides proteins so the immune system learns to fight Valley fever. They will create mRNA and harmless viral vector formulations and compare them to a protein vaccine that protected specially engineered mice. The team will measure human-type immune responses and improve manufacturing methods so the vaccine can be scaled up. Work combines laboratory testing, immune monitoring, and steps toward clinical readiness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults at risk for coccidioidomycosis, such as people living or working in endemic areas.
Not a fit: People with severe immune suppression or those already with advanced, uncontrolled fungal disease may not benefit from a preventive vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these vaccines could prevent Valley fever or help the immune system clear infection more quickly.
How similar studies have performed: A related protein vaccine protected humanized mice, and mRNA/vector vaccine platforms have succeeded for other infections, but these approaches are new for Valley fever.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- University of Texas San Antonio — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hung, Chiung-Yu — University of Texas San Antonio
- Study coordinator: Hung, Chiung-Yu
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.