Is Dengue Vaccine Protection Possible?

In tropical and subtropical countries, 4 dengue viruses (DENVs) produce mild disease and a potentially fatal vascular permeability syndrome. Unique antigenic and biological properties of DENVs contribute to vaccine development delays. Three tissue culture-based tetravalent candidate dengue vaccines have advanced to phase 3 clinical testing. Sanofi-Pasteur's chimeric yellow fever tetravalent dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, licensed in 19 dengue-endemic countries, Europe, and the United States, partially protects seropositives but sensitizes some seronegatives to severe hospitalized dengue. During 2 years of phase 3, Takeda's TAK-003, a chimeric DENV 2 tetravalent vaccine, protected against DENV 2 but was less protective against other DENVs. In seronegative adults, 1 dose of a tetravalent nonstructural deletion mutant vaccine in late phase developed by the US National Institutes of Health protected seronegative humans against challenge with DENVs 2 and 3. This experience suggests nearly whole DENV genomes are required to achieve balanced and sustained protective immunity. In tropical and subtropical countries four dengue viruses (DENV) produce mild disease and a potentially fatal vascular permeability syndrome. Unique antigenic and biological properties of DENVs contribute to vaccine development delays.

Automated summary

In tropical and subtropical countries, four dengue viruses can cause severe disease, but the development of vaccines has been slow. Three tetravalent dengue vaccines have reached phase 3 clinical trials, but their effectiveness varies against different dengue virus types. A novel vaccine developed by the US National Institutes of Health has shown protective effects against dengue viruses in seronegative individuals during late-stage trials.