Advances in the development of next-generation anthrax vaccines.
Anthrax, a disease of herbivores, only rarely infects humans. However, the threat of using Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent, to intentionally produce disease has been the impetus for development of next-generation vaccines. Two licensed vaccines have been available for human use for several decades. These are composed of acellular culture supernatants containing the protective antigen (PA) component of the anthrax toxins. In this review we summarize the various approaches used to develop improved vaccines. These efforts have included the use of PA with newer adjuvants and delivery systems, including bacterial and viral vectors and DNA vaccines. Attempts to broaden the protection afforded by PA-based vaccines have focused on adding other B. anthracis components, including spore and capsule antigens.
Friedlander
Arthur M
AM
United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Headquarters, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA. arthur.friedlander@us.army.mil
Little
Stephen F
SF
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000881:Anthrax / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000276:immunology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001694:Biological Warfare / Q000517:prevention & control; D054045:Biological Warfare Agents; D006801:Humans; D022282:Vaccines, Acellular / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D054045:Biological Warfare Agents; D022282:Vaccines, Acellular; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; C030325:anthrax toxin