Scientific publication by KU Leuven: YF17D-based vaccines – standing on the shoulders of a giant

Lorena Sanchez-Felipe, Yeranddy A. Alpizar, Ji Ma, Lotte Coelmont, Kai Dallmeier

European Journal of Immunology

Published: 03 April 2024 (Review)

The YF17D vaccine, developed in the 1930s, remains a gold standard in immunization against yellow fever, a deadly mosquito-borne disease, due to its exceptional efficacy and long-lasting protection. This success has inspired researchers to use YF17D as a foundation for developing new vaccines against other infectious diseases.

Key Features of YF17D:

✅ Broad Immune Response: By stimulating a broad immune response, engaging multiple components of the body's defence system, YF17D provides nearly 100% protection after a single dose, with immunity that can last for a lifetime.

✅ Chimeric and Transgenic Vaccine Development: Advances in molecular biology have enabled researchers to modify the YF17D vaccine, creating chimeric and transgenic vaccines that incorporate elements from other pathogens. This innovative approach has already led to the development of licensed vaccines against Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever, both of which have proven effective in preventing these serious illnesses.

Expanding Horizons:

✅ Uncovering New Solutions for Emerging Diseases: Encouraged by these successes, scientists are investigating YF17D-based vaccines for emerging viral infections like Lassa, Ebola, Zika, and even COVID-19.

✅ Tackling Other Health Challenges: Additionally, there's growing interest in adapting this platform to combat parasitic diseases such as malaria and to develop therapeutic vaccines for chronic infections like HIV and hepatitis, as well as certain cancers.

Future Challenges:

Despite these promising developments, challenges remain. Ensuring the safety of modified vaccines and addressing manufacturing complexities are critical steps toward broader application. Ongoing research aims to overcome these hurdles, paving the way for YF17D-based vaccines to play a pivotal role in future disease prevention and global health initiatives.

🔗 Read the full publication here: https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.202250133

Sanchez-Felipe L, Alpizar YA, Ma J, Coelmont L, Dallmeier K. YF17D-based vaccines - standing on the shoulders of a giant. Eur J Immunol. 2024 May;54(5):e2250133. doi: 10.1002/eji.202250133. Epub 2024 Apr 3. PMID: 38571392.