The development of vaccines for human leishmaniasis is one of the most important approaches for effectively controlling and/or eradicating the several forms of the disease. Based on the knowledge obtained from the practice of leishmanization and its protective immune response, several strategies have been used to develop vaccines against Leishmania species, such as the use of whole killed and attenuated parasites, recombinant proteins, and DNA vaccines. An ideal vaccine should be safe, effective, and immunogenic. Although several candidates have achieved safety and some level of effectiveness, the current challenge in the development of prophylactic vaccines is to achieve long-lasting immune protection by generating a robust and irreversible Th1 adaptive immune response in the host, with rapid recruitment of memory and effectors T cells at key acute points of infection. However, despite all efforts over the years, due to the antigenic diversity of the parasite and the complexity of the host’s immune response, human vaccine trials have been disappointing in mediating long-term immunity against sandfly-delivered infection. Therefore, more investments in this field should be carried out to translate preclinical findings from mice to humans through effective vaccine development strategies.
BT - Vaccines for Neglected Pathogens: Strategies, Achievements and Challenges DO - 10.1007/978-3-031-24355-4_14 LA - Eng M3 - Book Chapter N2 -The development of vaccines for human leishmaniasis is one of the most important approaches for effectively controlling and/or eradicating the several forms of the disease. Based on the knowledge obtained from the practice of leishmanization and its protective immune response, several strategies have been used to develop vaccines against Leishmania species, such as the use of whole killed and attenuated parasites, recombinant proteins, and DNA vaccines. An ideal vaccine should be safe, effective, and immunogenic. Although several candidates have achieved safety and some level of effectiveness, the current challenge in the development of prophylactic vaccines is to achieve long-lasting immune protection by generating a robust and irreversible Th1 adaptive immune response in the host, with rapid recruitment of memory and effectors T cells at key acute points of infection. However, despite all efforts over the years, due to the antigenic diversity of the parasite and the complexity of the host’s immune response, human vaccine trials have been disappointing in mediating long-term immunity against sandfly-delivered infection. Therefore, more investments in this field should be carried out to translate preclinical findings from mice to humans through effective vaccine development strategies.
PB - Springer International Publishing PY - 2023 SE - 14 SN - 9783031243547 SP - 307 EP - 326 T2 - Vaccines for Neglected Pathogens: Strategies, Achievements and Challenges TI - Vaccine Development for Human Leishmaniasis UR - https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-031-24355-4_14.pdf?pdf=inline%20link ER -