Chikungunya Virus Vaccines: Viral Vector-Based Approaches.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Vaccinology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• A significant chikungunya virus (CHIKV) epidemic began in the Americas in 2013, infecting over 1.7 million people.
• Millions in North and South America remain at risk, necessitating rapid development of effective vaccines.
• Viral-vector technologies are being explored for CHIKV vaccine development due to their ability to induce robust immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent data on experimental CHIKV vaccines utilizing viral-vector technologies.
• To focus on the preclinical and clinical development of the MV/Schw-based CHIKV vaccine candidate.
• To highlight the MV/Schw-based vaccine as the first CHIKV-vectored vaccine to complete a clinical trial.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical and clinical data for various viral-vector CHIKV vaccine candidates.
• Focus on vectors including modified vaccinia virus Ankara, adenovirus, vesicular stomatitis virus, alphavirus-based chimeras, and measles vaccine Schwarz strain (MV/Schw).
• Analysis of immune responses (humoral and cellular) induced by these vaccine candidates.

Main Results:

• Viral-vector vaccines, including MV/Schw, have demonstrated the ability to induce potent humoral and cellular immune responses.
• The MV/Schw-based CHIKV vaccine candidate has successfully completed a clinical trial.
• Other viral vectors like adenovirus and alphavirus-based chimeras are also being investigated.

Conclusions:

• Viral-vector technologies offer a promising platform for developing effective chikungunya virus vaccines.
• The MV/Schw-based vaccine represents a significant advancement, being the first to reach clinical trial completion.
• Continued research and development of these experimental vaccines are crucial for addressing the ongoing CHIKV epidemic.