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Home Technologies Intravesical UTI vaccine to induce bacteria-eradicating immune responses in the bladder
Intravesical UTI vaccine to induce bacteria-eradicating immune responses in the bladder

Intravesical UTI vaccine to induce bacteria-eradicating immune responses in the bladder

Unmet Need

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are typically caused by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) that proliferate in urine and infect the urethra and bladder epithelial cells. UTIs represent the second most common bacterial infection in humans, disproportionately affecting women, and have much higher recurrence rates than other bacterial infections. Antibiotics can usually successfully clear UTIs, but there are currently no treatments or therapeutics available to prevent new or recurring infections. There is considerable interest in developing vaccines to confer term protection against UTIs, but none have been successful to date. Thus, there is a significant need for the development of novel, effective UTI vaccines.

Technology

Duke inventors have developed a vaccine with the goal of providing long term protection against UTIs. This vaccine is intended to be locally administered directly to the bladder via catheter. More specifically, the vaccine will be comprised of one or more UPEG antigens along with adjuvant that induces T helper 1 (Th1) cellular responses within the bladder. This vaccine formulation has been demonstrated in mouse models to promote bacterial clearance from the bladder, even in mice that had experienced multiple UTIs and markedly diminished Th1 immunity.

Advantages

  • Novel formulation and approach for preventing new or recurring UTIs
  • Intravesical administration promotes highly localized immune response
  • Th1-skewing adjuvant provides more immunological benefit in the bladder relative to other vaccine formulations
  • Provides longer-term benefit than antibiotics
  • Helps mitigate risk of repeated infections

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