Universal vaccine for chronic infectious diseases

Andreas Meyerhans

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Spain

Immunotherapy consists of stimulating the patient’s own defenses in order to fight disease. In oncology, this anti-cancer strategy has been tested in mice by means of a non-specific vaccine that activates the immune system to fight the tumor.

By means of a non-specific vaccine, this project aims to apply the methods of immunotherapy to chronic infectious diseases, such as the AIDS virus, and hepatitis B and C which, except in the last case, do not have a cure. These pathologies are also characterized by the loss of functionality of T cells, important defenses against the pathogen, which, in losing their antiviral capacity, allow the infectious agent to grow uncontrollably.

The aim is to design a universal therapeutic vaccine that could intervene in the cure of various chronic viral infections. Currently, these patients require medication throughout their lifetime. These types of treatment have adverse effects on their health and have a high economic cost for healthcare systems. For this reason, a universal therapeutic vaccine could help to address this global challenge.

Christian Brander (Co-Leader), IrsiCaixa, Spain

Towards a universal therapeutic vaccine against chronic virus infections

€484,316