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2021-01-11 13:19:00
As the world grapples with COVID-19, researchers are hopeful that the momentum behind vaccine development can be used to combat dengue fever.
Dengue Vaccine Race: New Hope?
Several dengue vaccines are in the pipeline, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against this debilitating disease.
- Takeda’s TAK-003 is in Phase III trials and showing promising results.
- TV003/TV005, developed by NIAID, is also in Phase III trials.
- mRNA vaccine technology is showing potential in early trials.
Is there a vaccine for dengue fever? Yes, several dengue vaccines are in development, with some already approved and others in advanced stages of clinical trials. Dengue fever vaccines aim to protect against all four strains of the dengue virus, offering hope for controlling the spread of the disease.
It’s been five years since sanofi Pasteur introduced the first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, in 2015. Dengvaxia was approved by the european Medicines Agency (EMA) in December 2018, and by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2019, to prevent dengue in specific age groups and areas with a documented prior infection. It’s also approved in several Latin American and Asian countries.
Other potential vaccines are in the works. Takeda recently announced its TAK-003 vaccine is nearing regulatory filing. Brazil’s Instituto Butantan is expected to release phase III trial results for TAV003 in the first half of 2021.
Phase III Trials
TAK-003
Takeda’s TAK-003, also known as TDV, is one of the most advanced candidates. Takeda shared with Reuters that TAK-003 “is on track for regulatory filing in Asia,Latin America,and the European Union by the end of fiscal 2020.”
TAK-003 uses a live-attenuated DENV-2 (dengue serotype 2) virus as its base, which is the genetic “backbone” for all four dengue serotypes. The vaccine is administered in two doses, three months apart.
Takeda initiated its phase III Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES) trial of TAK-003 in September 2016. This study took place in eight dengue-endemic countries in Latin America and Asia. It enrolled 20,100 children and adolescents aged 4 through 16 within seven months. The trial aimed to assess the vaccine’s effectiveness and long-term side effects.
In November 2019, Takeda announced that TAK-003 was well-tolerated and provided protection against dengue. The vaccine showed an 80% overall efficacy 12 months after the second dose. it was 82% effective in participants who hadn’t previously had dengue and 75% in those who had.
The Lancet published the trial’s secondary results, which covered an 18-month follow-up, in March 2020. These showed an overall efficacy of 73%. Takeda announced a 70% vaccine efficacy for DENV-1, 95% for DENV-2, and 49% for DENV-3. There wasn’t enough data for DENV-4.
Did you know?-Dengue fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that spread Zika and chikungunya viruses. controlling mosquito populations is crucial in preventing these diseases.
TV003/TV005
TV003 and TV005 were developed by the US-government funded NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases). They are variations of the same live-attenuated, recombinant vaccine. TV003 has ten times more of the DENV-2 component than TV005. Both are designed to be a single dose.
NIAID has licensed TV003/TV005 to several manufacturers,including Instituto Butantan in brazil,VaBiotech in Vietnam,and others in India,Taiwan,and the US,Canada,China,Europe,and Japan. The goal is to increase market access through affordable domestic production in dengue-endemic regions.
Brazil’s Instituto Butantan started a large phase III community-based trial of TAV003 in February 2016. The ongoing trial includes almost 17,000 adults and children from various urban areas across Brazil. The institute expects the trial to be completed in the first half of 2021.
A significant advantage is the single-dose administration, which is convenient, especially for travelers.
Reader question:-If a dengue vaccine becomes widely available, how do you think it will impact travel to dengue-prone regions? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Phase II Trials
TV003/TV005
NIAID is also sponsoring clinical trials of TV003/TV005 in countries like Thailand and Bangladesh. The phase II trial of TV003 in Thailand was completed in October 2018, and the phase II trial of TV005 in Bangladesh was completed in February 2020. Additionally, a phase II trial in Brazil of TV003, sponsored by the Butantan Institute, is expected to finish in December 2020.
In Taiwan, the Medigen Biotech phase II trial of TV003 in healthy adults was completed in May 2019. According to Medigen, the vaccine showed great safety, and participants produced an immune response against all four dengue serotypes, nonetheless of their age – from 20 to 70.
The National Taiwan University Hospital is currently recruiting for a phase II trial of TV005 to assess its safety and ability to trigger an immune response in people aged 50 to 70.
TDENV-PIV
TDENV-PIV came from a collaboration between GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Walter reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), and Fiocruz. It’s a purified inactivated vaccine, composed of dead purified components of the dengue virus with an adjuvant. like TDV, TDENV-PIV is administered in two doses, four weeks apart.
The collaboration completed its phase II trial on 140 adults in the US in March 2018. The main objective was to evaluate and refine TDENV-PIV further. Trial results show participants tolerated the vaccine well, and the vaccine is best given with a boost one month and six months after the initial vaccination.
While there was a mention of GSK developing a DPIV vaccine candidate, there is no mention of a dengue vaccine in its pipeline.
Phase I Trials
merck’s V180 is a recombinant subunit dengue vaccine,containing essential antigens. It’s given in three doses, one month apart.Merck’s phase I trials in the US and Australia tested different doses combined with different adjuvants. Published results show that the vaccine formulations did induce a modest amount of antibodies against dengue serotype 1 in most participants that waned over time.
Also in phase I, the US Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) has evaluated its DNA vaccine combined with an adjuvant. While TVDV targets all four dengue serotypes, an earlier phase I trial assessed its DENV-1 component, D1ME100.
KM Biologics (formerly Kaketsuken) completed a phase I trial of its KD-382 live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine in Australia in June 2020,following preclinical trials in japan in 2018. The trial assessed the safety and tolerability of KD-382 in healthy adults aged 18 to 65 who had not previously had dengue. It also evaluated the immune response over 57 days.
Simultaneously occurring, the Serum Institute of India is currently recruiting in australia for its phase I trial of its Dengusiil dengue vaccine candidate. This trial will assess the safety and tolerability of a single dose of Dengusiil in healthy adults aged 18 to 45. It will assess participants’ immune response over six months.
Other Developments
An article published in frontiers in Immunology in 2019 describes how an mRNA vaccine induced a potent immune response and protection against DENV-1 in mice. A more recent article published in Molecular Therapy describes an mRNA vaccine candidate that elicited a strong immune response and partial protection against DENV-2 in mice. “These results form the foundation for further development of a tetravalent DENV vaccine based on mRNA technology,” it concludes.
Several other novel developments are progressing.
The dengue fever vaccine pipeline is developing a variety of vaccines to combat this disease.
Brazil’s Instituto Butantan started a large phase III community-based trial of TAV003 in February 2016. The ongoing trial includes almost 17,000 adults and children from various urban areas across Brazil. The institute expects the trial to be completed in the frist half of 2021.
A meaningful advantage is the single-dose governance, which is convenient, especially for travelers.
Reader question:-If a dengue vaccine becomes widely available, how do you think it will impact travel to dengue-prone regions? Share your thoughts in the comments.
understanding Dengue Fever: Symptoms, Risks, and Prevention
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection.Globally, it poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Understanding the disease, its symptoms, and how it spreads is crucial for protection.
What are the common symptoms of dengue fever? Common symptoms include high fever,severe headache,pain behind the eyes,muscle and joint pains,and a skin rash. In severe cases, dengue can lead to internal bleeding, organ damage, and even death.
How Dengue Spreads
Dengue is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected *Aedes* mosquitoes, most commonly *Aedes aegypti* and *Aedes albopictus*. These mosquitoes are active during the day, making daytime protection essential. The mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, such as puddles, containers, and improperly stored water. Therefore, standing water near homes and in communities should be minimized.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase a person’s risk of contracting dengue fever:
- living or traveling to dengue-endemic areas: Individuals in tropical and subtropical regions are at higher risk.
- Being bitten by infected mosquitoes: Outdoor activities, especially during peak mosquito hours, increase risk, especially if personal protection is not utilized.
- Prior dengue infection: While infection with one dengue serotype provides immunity to that strain, it can increase the risk of severe dengue if infected with a different serotype.
Preventing Dengue Fever
Preventing mosquito bites is the primary method of preventing dengue. Here are some practical tips:
- Use insect repellent: Apply EPA-registered insect repellents, such as those containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, especially during the day.
- Wear protective clothing: Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and shoes, especially during daylight hours when mosquitoes are most active.
- Use mosquito nets: Sleep under mosquito nets,particularly if your living or sleeping area is not well-screened or air-conditioned.
- Eliminate standing water: Remove or empty containers that can collect water around your home,such as flower pots,old tires,and buckets.
- Install screens: Ensure windows and doors have screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
Pro Tip: Remember to reapply insect repellent according to the product instructions. Use window screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
Dengue vs.Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Dengue fever shares similarities with other mosquito-borne diseases. Here’s how it compares with Zika and chikungunya:
| Disease | Cause | Symptoms | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dengue Fever | Dengue virus (DENV-1 to DENV-4) | High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, skin rash | *Aedes* mosquitoes |
| Zika Virus | Zika virus (ZIKV) | Fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis | *Aedes* mosquitoes, sexual contact, mother to fetus |
| Chikungunya | Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) | Fever, severe joint pain, headache, muscle pain, rash | *Aedes* mosquitoes |
While symptoms can overlap, the specific viruses and potential long-term impacts differ. A healthcare professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any suspected mosquito-borne illness.
Answering Your Dengue Fever Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about dengue fever:
Can you get dengue fever more than once?
Yes, you can. There are four different serotypes of the dengue virus. Infection with one serotype provides immunity to that specific strain, but not others. if you contract dengue from a different serotype later, your at a higher risk of developing severe dengue.
Is dengue fever fatal?
While most cases of dengue fever are not fatal, severe dengue can be life-threatening.Severe dengue can lead to complications like severe bleeding, organ failure, and plasma leakage, potentially leading to death. Early detection and treatment are crucial.
How is dengue fever treated?
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever. Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms, such as fever and pain. Fluid replacement to prevent dehydration is critical.It’s important to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin, which can increase the risk of bleeding. Hospitalization may be necessary for severe cases.
Were can I find the latest details on dengue fever?
You can find updated information from sources such as the CDC, WHO, and your local public health authorities. They provide current guidance on dengue fever prevention, outbreaks, and vaccine developments.
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