title: Immunogenicity of DNA- and recombinant protein-based Alzheimer disease epitope vaccines.
abstract: Alzheimer disease (AD) process involves the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, nevertheless the attempts at targeting the main culprits, neurotoxic β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, have thus far proven unsuccessful for improving cognitive function. Important lessons about anti-Aβ immunotherapeutic strategies were learned from the first active vaccination clinical trials. AD progression could be safely prevented or delayed if the vaccine (1) induces high titers of antibodies specific to toxic forms of Aβ; (2) does not activate the harmful autoreactive T cells that may induce inflammation; (3) is initiated before or at least at the early stages of the accumulation of toxic forms of Aβ. Data from the recent passive vaccination trials with bapineuzumab and solanezumab also indicated that anti-Aβ immunotherapy might be effective in reduction of the AD pathology and even improvement of cognitive and/or functional performance in patients when administered early in the course of the disease. For the prevention of AD the active immunization strategy may be more desirable than passive immunotherapy protocol and it can offer the potential for sustainable clinical and commercial advantages. Here we discuss the active vaccine approaches, which are still in preclinical development and vaccines that are already in clinical trials.
authors: Department of Molecular Immunology; Institute for Molecular Medicine; Huntington Beach, CA USA.
authors: Hayk
authors: H
authors: Davtyan
authors: Xenetic Biosciences, PLC; London, UK.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Bacon
authors: Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders; University of California at Irvine; Irvine, CA USA.
authors: Irina
authors: I
authors: Petrushina
authors: Department of Molecular Immunology; Institute for Molecular Medicine; Huntington Beach, CA USA.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Zagorski
authors: Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders; University of California at Irvine; Irvine, CA USA; Department of Neurology; University of California at Irvine; Irvine, CA USA.
authors: David H
authors: DH
authors: Cribbs
authors: Department of Molecular Immunology; Institute for Molecular Medicine; Huntington Beach, CA USA.
authors: Anahit
authors: A
authors: Ghochikyan
authors: Department of Molecular Immunology; Institute for Molecular Medicine; Huntington Beach, CA USA; Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders; University of California at Irvine; Irvine, CA USA.
authors: Michael G
authors: MG
authors: Agadjanyan
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D023582:Alzheimer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000939:Epitopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D055261:Immunogenetic Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D023582:Alzheimer Vaccines; D000939:Epitopes; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019444:Vaccines, DNA
keywords: Alzheimer disease; DNA vaccine; adjuvants; electroporation; immune responses; liposome-based vaccination; protein vaccine