LEISHDNAVAX

**LEISHDNAVAX** is a preclinical pentavalent DNA vaccine candidate for prevention and potential immunotherapy of human visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Developed using MIDGE-Th1 minimalistic gene-expression vectors, it is an equimass mixture of five vectors encoding T-cell-epitope-enriched *Leishmania* antigens: kinetoplastid membrane protein-11, cysteine proteinase type II, cysteine proteinase type I, elongation factor 1-alpha, and thiol-specific antioxidant. Intradermal administration is intended to induce antigen-specific CD4-positive and CD8-positive T-cell responses, including a protective Th1-biased cellular immune response against intracellular *Leishmania* parasites. Preclinical studies reported immunogenicity, protection in rodent visceral-leishmaniasis models, and an acceptable repeated-dose safety profile in mice and rats. ([nature.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/gt201535.pdf))

Other names

MIDGE-based leishmaniasis vaccine