The vesicular stomatitis virus-based Ebola virus vaccine: From concept to clinical trials

The devastating Ebola virus (EBOV) epidemic in West Africa in 2013–2016 accelerated the progress of several vaccines and antivirals through clinical trials, including the replication-competent vesicular stomatitis virus-based vaccine expressing the EBOV glycoprotein (VSV-EBOV). Extensive preclinical...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ellen Suder, Wakako Furuyama, Heinz Feldmann, Andrea Marzi, Emmie de Wit
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2018-09-01
Series:Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2018.1473698
Description
Summary:The devastating Ebola virus (EBOV) epidemic in West Africa in 2013–2016 accelerated the progress of several vaccines and antivirals through clinical trials, including the replication-competent vesicular stomatitis virus-based vaccine expressing the EBOV glycoprotein (VSV-EBOV). Extensive preclinical testing in animal models demonstrated the prophylactic and post-exposure efficacy of this vaccine, identified the mechanism of protection, and suggested it was safe for human use. Based on these data, VSV-EBOV was extensively tested in phase 1–3 clinical trials in North America, Europe and Africa. Although some side effects of vaccination were observed, these clinical trials showed that the VSV-EBOV was safe and immunogenic in humans. Moreover, the data supported the use of VSV-EBOV as an emergency vaccine in individuals at risk for Ebola virus disease. In this review, we summarize the results of the extensive preclinical and clinical testing of the VSV-EBOV vaccine.
ISSN:2164-5515
2164-554X