Can a novel multi-epitope, serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine candidate confer protection against human carriage and transmission?

• Grant number: 24/05505-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: July 29, 2024
• End date: July 14, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Viviane Maimoni Gonçalves
• Grantee: Vítor dos Santos Alves
• Supervisor: Daniela Mulari Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Oxford, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/02930-1 - DEVELOPMENT OF A PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE BASED ON MULTIEPITOPES, BP.DR

Abstract

Young children, older individuals and immune-compromised individuals are at greater risk of developing pneumonia caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). At any given time, approximately 10-20% of adults are colonized with pneumococcus in the upper respiratory tract but colonization with the bacterium does not cause any symptoms. However, when immune defense mechanisms in the respiratory mucosa break down, the risk of developing pneumococcal disease increases.The Oxford Vaccine Group has developed an experimental human pneumococcal challenge model where a defined number of pneumococci are introduced into the nose of healthy adults who are then carefully monitored to determine whether their upper respiratory tract becomes colonized with the bacterium. The model allows us to test whether immune responses to pneumococcal antigens are associated with protection and thus determine novel vaccines should move into phase I clinical trials. Here, we aim to assess the frequency and phenotype of antibodies and cellular responses to a multi-epitope protein vaccine. This vaccine is engineered to be serotype-independent and cost-effective compared to current vaccines, targeting key virulence factors of pneumococci. The results of the study will inform whether this novel vaccine correlates with protection from pneumococcal colonization.Thus, the BEPE will be an opportunity to add value and accelerate the development of the potential product resulting from the PhD, strengthen ties between renowned institutions, and advance the career of the PhD student.