Grant: Collaborative Health Research Projects (NSERC partnered)

Lung tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading global infectious causes of death. TB still remains a serious health concern in Canada due to ever-increasing immigrant populations (latent TB), high incidence rates of TB in First Nations communities, and much increased susceptibility to TB by HIV co-infection. The drug-resistant cases have been seen in most Canadian provinces. BCG, the only TB vaccine, has been used globally for 90 years but it has failed to effectively control global TB epidemic. It is now believed that BCG will continue to be administered to humans and novel effective immunization strategies are urgently needed for boosting the protective immunity in the lung. In this regard, the work carried out by us and others over the last 10 years indicates the bioengineered recombinant virus-based, such as human type 5 adenovirus-based (AdHu5), TB vaccines to be of promise. However, AdHu5-based vaccines have met with the challenge that the majority of humans have the preexisting immunity against AdHu5 which may compromise both the safety and efficacy of AdHu5-based immunization. To address this quest, we have formed a strong interdisciplinary Team consisting 2 biomedical vaccinologists, 1 chemical and 1 medical engineers, and 1 health/infectious disease specialist. Together, we will develop bioengineered chimpanzee adenovirus-based TB vaccines which are expected to be safe and effective in humans as humans do not have pre-existing immunity towards them. Various formulations will be developed for enhanced stability. A new way of vaccine delivery to the lung will also be developed. Their safety and efficacy will be evaluated in animal models of TB. The selected candidate will then be evaluated in humans. The success of our project will be facilitated by participation from two Canadian-based vaccine corporate partners. Our project is expected to lead to the commercialization of a most promising TB vaccine for improving the health of Canadians and beyond.