title: The Human Hookworm Vaccine.
abstract: Hookworm infection is one of the world's most common neglected tropical diseases and a leading cause of iron deficiency anemia in low- and middle-income countries. A Human Hookworm Vaccine is currently being developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute and is in phase 1 clinical testing. The candidate vaccine is comprised of two recombinant antigens known as Na-GST-1 and Na-APR-1, each of which is an important parasite enzyme required for hookworms to successfully utilize host blood as a source of energy. The recombinant proteins are formulated on Alhydrogel(®) and are being tested in combination with a synthetic Toll-like receptor 4 agonist. The aim of the vaccine is to induce anti-enzyme antibodies that will reduce both host blood loss and the number of hookworms attached to the gut. Transfer of the manufacturing technology to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ)/Bio-Manguinhos (a Brazilian public sector developing country vaccine manufacturer) is planned, with a clinical development plan that could lead to registration of the vaccine in Brazil. The vaccine would also need to be introduced in the poorest regions of Africa and Asia, where hookworm infection is highly endemic. Ultimately, the vaccine could become an essential tool for achieving hookworm control and elimination, a key target in the 2012 London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases.
authors.affiliation: Sabin Vaccine Institute Product Development Partnership, Houston, TX, USA. hotez@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hotez
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diemert
authors.forename: Kristina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bacon
authors.forename: Coreen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beaumier
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bethony
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bottazzi
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brooker
authors.forename: Artur Roberto
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Couto
authors.forename: Marcos da Silva
authors.initials: Mda S
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Homma
authors.forename: Bruce Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.forename: Marva
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loblack
authors.forename: Carlos Medicis
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: Rodrigo Correa
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Philip K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes; D000723:Ancylostomatoidea / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends*; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D014943:Global Health; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017150:Public Sector; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D018581:Technology Transfer; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000819:agonists; D014612:Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D014612:Vaccines