Proceedings of the inaugural symposium on dengue human challenge studies "Challenging the norm: Accelerating dengue countermeasures through human studies"
1
Issued Date
2026-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
19352735
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105027094574
Pubmed ID
41511926
Journal Title
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
Volume
20
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases Vol.20 No.1 (2026) , e0013889
Suggested Citation
Kalimuddin S., Waickman A.T., Avirutnan P., Alam M.S., Chiu C., Young B.E., Woods C.W., Fay P.C., Pakir S.K., Manski-Nankervis J.A., Bolte C., Pengilley A., Cavaleri M., Lim J.C.W., Thomas S.J., Ko A.I., Ooi E.E. Proceedings of the inaugural symposium on dengue human challenge studies "Challenging the norm: Accelerating dengue countermeasures through human studies". Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases Vol.20 No.1 (2026) , e0013889. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0013889 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114434
Title
Proceedings of the inaugural symposium on dengue human challenge studies "Challenging the norm: Accelerating dengue countermeasures through human studies"
Author's Affiliation
Imperial College London
National University of Singapore
Yale University
Duke University
Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz
Universitätsspital Basel
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Norton College of Medicine
Duke-NUS Medical School
Singapore General Hospital
Siriraj Hospital
Wellcome Trust
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
European Medicines Agency
National Centre for Infectious Diseases
Academy of Medicine, Singapore
National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, Singapore
Therapeutic Goods Administration
Kaye Consulting
National University of Singapore
Yale University
Duke University
Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz
Universitätsspital Basel
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Norton College of Medicine
Duke-NUS Medical School
Singapore General Hospital
Siriraj Hospital
Wellcome Trust
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
European Medicines Agency
National Centre for Infectious Diseases
Academy of Medicine, Singapore
National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, Singapore
Therapeutic Goods Administration
Kaye Consulting
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
On 12th June 2025, Duke-NUS Medical School, supported by the Global Dengue and Aedes-Transmitted Diseases Consortium (GDAC), hosted a one-day symposium in Singapore titled "Challenging the norm: Accelerating dengue countermeasures through human challenge studies". Comprising sessions on both dengue and other viral infection models, the symposium explored how human challenge studies could address gaps in dengue pathogenesis and immunity to inform vaccine development and application. Keynote speakers highlighted persistent challenges in dengue vaccine development, including incomplete protection across all four dengue viruses, complexities in dengue immunity, and past safety concerns that have influenced regulatory pathways. Case studies from Thailand and Bangladesh illustrated the feasibility and safety of dengue challenge studies in endemic settings. Parallel discussions drew lessons from human infection models of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses that are directly relevant to expanding the use of dengue human challenge studies. Sessions on public engagement and regulatory frameworks emphasised the importance of trust, transparent communication, and harmonisation in the design, conduct, and acceptance of challenge studies. Overall, the symposium highlighted that human challenge studies, if implemented thoughtfully, can advance dengue vaccine research, accelerate clinical evaluation and regulatory approval of vaccine candidates, and support evidence-based public health strategies to strengthen global dengue control efforts.
