Leishmaniasis vaccine candidates for development: a global overview

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Leishmaniasis vaccine development is scientifically feasible due to extensive knowledge of parasite genetics, immunology, and successful animal models.
• Despite feasibility, no leishmaniasis vaccine is currently available for general human use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing and developing vaccines for canine and human leishmaniasis.
• To highlight the challenges and potential strategies for leishmaniasis vaccine development.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on leishmaniasis vaccines.
• Analysis of market and economic factors influencing vaccine development.
• Examination of global health organization data on leishmaniasis prevalence.

Main Results:

• Pharmaceutical industry disinterest stems from the lack of a conceived market and the disease's regional nature.
• Visceral leishmaniasis disproportionately affects the poorest populations in specific countries, necessitating national development efforts.
• Brazil and India prioritize visceral leishmaniasis control, indicating potential for national vaccine initiatives.

Conclusions:

• While scientifically possible, human leishmaniasis vaccine development faces significant market and economic barriers.
• National governments, particularly in high-prevalence countries like Brazil and India, are key to advancing vaccine solutions.
• The review focuses on vaccines in use or development, not exhaustive discovery principles.