OBJECTIVETo review recent developments in therapeutic DNA vaccines against tuberculosis.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were obtained mainly from the studies of therapeutic DNA vaccines against tuberculosis reported from 2000 to 2006.

STUDY SELECTIONRelevant articles about studies of therapeutic DNA vaccines against tuberculosis were selected.

DATA EXTRACTIONData were mainly extracted from the 32 articles listed in the reference section of this review.

RESULTSSome DNA vaccines which previously showed to induce protective immunity against infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a prophylactic manner are also surprisingly effective when used therapeutically, including persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis which are refractory to immune system and antibacterial chemotherapy alone. When used in combination with antibacterial drugs, therapeutic DNA vaccines could effectively eliminate residual bacteria in infected animals and shorten the therapy course of conventional chemotherapy. Detailed studies demonstrated that therapeutic effects of DNA vaccines may at least partly be due to the restoration of the Th(1)/Th(2) balance. Some problems have also emerged along with these exciting results.

CONCLUSIONSTherapeutic DNA vaccine is a promising strategy against tuberculosis, however developing an ideal DNA vaccine for therapy of tuberculosis will require further development.