DNA vaccines in veterinary use

Abstract

DNA vaccines represent a new frontier in vaccine technology. One important application of this technology is in the veterinary arena. DNA vaccines have already gained a foothold in certain fields of veterinary medicine. However, several important questions must be addressed when developing DNA vaccines for animals, including whether or not the vaccine is efficacious and cost effective compared with currently available options. Another important question to consider is how to apply this developing technology in a wide range of different situations, from the domestic pet to individual fish in fisheries with several thousand animals, to wildlife programs for disease control. In some cases, DNA vaccines represent an interesting option for vaccination, while in others, currently available options are sufficient. This review will examine a number of diseases of veterinary importance and the progress being made in DNA vaccine technology relevant to these diseases, and we compare these with the conventional treatment options available.

Keywords::

• cancer
• companion animals
• cost
• DNA vaccine
• economic impact
• food animal
• infectious disease
• veterinary use

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported in part by NIH grants awarded to David Weiner.The authors note possible commercial conflicts associated with this work, which may include Wyeth, VGX, BMS, Virxsys, Ichor, Merck, Althea and Aldeveron. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.