CRUZIVAX Publications

• Maria Jesus Pinazo, Emilio Malchiodi, Jean-Robert Ioset , Augusto Bivona, Kenneth J Gollob, Walderez O Dutra. Challenges and advancements in the development of vaccines and therapies against Chagas disease. Lancet Microbe. 2024 Oct;5(10):100972. doi: 10.1016/j.lanmic.2024.100972

In this Series paper, we discuss the challenges associated with discovering and translating prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against Chagas disease from the laboratory bench to clinical application. We highlight ongoing efforts in vaccine and new drug development, with a focus on more advanced candidates for vaccines and drugs. We also discuss potential solutions, emphasising the importance of collaborative research efforts, sustained funding, and a comprehensive understanding of host–parasite interactions and immunopathology to advance the development of new vaccines and therapies against Chagas disease.

• Francesco Ramponi, Céline Aerts, Paula Sartor, María Jesús Pinazo, Héctor Freilij, Carlos A. Guzmán, Emilio Malchiodi, Elisa Sicuri. Development of vaccines for Chagas disease (CRUZIVAX): stakeholders’ preferences and potential impacts on healthcare. Gac Sanit. 2022 Dec 21:37:102275. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2022.102275.

This study aims to inform the development of two vaccines for the prevention and treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, and guide their pre-clinical phase up to clinical phase I. The three main objectives are: 1) to explore patients’ and policy makers’ preferences on the candidate vaccines in Argentina and Spain; 2) to investigate health-related quality of life of patients affected by Chagas disease; and 3) to assess the potential health provider savings associated with the vaccines, in terms of resource use and health care costs. Discrete choice experiments will be employed to estimate and characterize the theoretical demand for the vaccines and investigate patients’ and policy makers’ preferences. Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. Resources use and costs associated with Chagas disease will be investigated using information from the databases of the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona.

When available, further results will be made public here and on our Zenodo Community.
https://zenodo.org/communities/cruzivax/