title: Influenza virosomes: a flu jab for malaria?
abstract: The major attractions of vaccines based on viral carriers (vectors) include their immunogenicity without adjuvant and the relative simplicity of their associated production processes in comparison with recombinant protein-based approaches. Two influenza virosomal vaccines - for influenza and hepatitis A - are registered for human use, and the virosome platform is being evaluated as the carrier for a Plasmodium falciparum vaccine that targets both the exo-erythrocytic and erythrocytic stages. Although safe and immunogenic, the first such virosome-based malaria vaccine showed no protection in a Phase IIa clinical trial. Nevertheless, the established safety profile of virosomes and their flexibility with regard to antigen delivery - allowing for antibody induction via the conjugation of peptides and T-cell induction via encapsulation - indicate that they warrant further exploration.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, EH9 3JT, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Cavanagh
authors.forename: Edmond J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Remarque
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sauerwein
authors.forename: Cornelus C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hermsen
authors.forename: Adrian J F
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Luty
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus; D017780:Malaria Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D022721:Vaccines, Virosome / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D017780:Malaria Vaccines; D022721:Vaccines, Virosome