title: Safety and efficacy of DNA vaccines: plasmids vs. minicircles.
abstract: While DNA vaccination using plasmid vectors is highly attractive, there is a need for further vector optimization regarding safety, stability, and efficiency. In this commentary, we review the minicircle vector (MC), which is an entity devoid of plasmid bacterial sequences, as an alternative to the traditional plasmid construct. The commentary highlights the recent discovery by Stenler et al. (2014) that the small size of an MC enables improved resistance to the shearing forces associated with e.g. pneumatic delivery methods. This observation may have implications for the regulatory agencies' requirement of plasmid integrity and quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Research Center; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stenler
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Research Center; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm, Sweden; Vecura; Clinical Research Center, Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Pontus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blomberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Research Center; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: C I Edvard
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Smith
keywords: DNA vaccination; non-viral gene therapy; pneumatic delivery; supercoil; topoisoforms; vaccine; vector safety