LC16m8: an attenuated smallpox vaccine.
The frequency of moderate to severe adverse reactions associated with smallpox vaccines currently stockpiled in the US, and the continued threat of bioterrorism have prompted the development of effective vaccines with improved safety profiles. LC16m8, an attenuated, replicating smallpox vaccine derived from the Lister strain of vaccinia, is currently licensed in Japan where it was safely used in over 50,000 children in the 1970s. It has been shown to have markedly less neurotoxicity than unattenuated vaccines in nonclinical studies. LC16m8 is immunogenic after a single dose, and recent studies in two different animal models have demonstrated protective efficacy equivalent to that of the only FDA-licensed smallpox vaccine. This article reviews the history and available scientific literature regarding LC16m8 and provides comparisons to other smallpox vaccines.
Kenner
Julie
J
VaxGen Inc, USA. jkenner@vaxgen.com
Cameron
Fiona
F
Empig
Cyril
C
Jobes
David V
DV
Gurwith
Marc
M
D000818:Animals; D023482:Bioterrorism; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D012899:Smallpox / Q000517:prevention & control; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000276:immunology
D012900:Smallpox Vaccine; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated