Sm-p80-Based Schistosomiasis Vaccine: Preparation for Human Clinical Trials. Issue 3 (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siddiqui, Afzal A.; Siddiqui, Sabrina Z.
• Is Part Of: Trends in parasitology. Volume 33:Issue 3(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 194
• Page End: 201
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: schistosomiasis -- vaccine -- Schistosoma mansoni -- Schistosoma haematobium -- Schistosoma japonicum -- protective immunity -- neglected tropical disease (NTD); Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Parasitology; Biology; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; Online resources; 571.999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.10.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4922

Abstract

Abstract : Mass antiparasitic drug administration programs and other control strategies have made important contributions in reducing the global prevalence of helminths. Schistosomiasis, however, continues to spread to new geographic areas. The advent of a viable vaccine and its deployment, coupled with existing control efforts, is expected to make significant headway towards sustained schistosomiasis control. In 2016, Science ranked the schistosomiasis vaccine as one of the top 10 vaccines that needs to be urgently developed. A vaccine that is effective against geographically distinct forms of intestinal/hepatic and urinary disease is essential to make a meaningful impact in global reduction of the disease burden. In this opinion article, we focus on salient features of schistosomiasis vaccines in different phases of the clinical development pipeline and highlight the Sm-p80-based vaccine which is now being prepared for human clinical trials. Trends: There is a widespread agreement among 'schistosomalogists' that a sustainable decline in infection transmission and disease morbidity can only be obtained through continual improvement in sanitation and water infrastructures in endemic areas with the addition of vaccination coupled with chemotherapy. A vaccine is expected to help in decreasing the morbidity through induced immune responses leading to reduced worm burdens and decreased egg production that will ultimately result in lower transmission rates. The schistosomiasis vaccine field is now focusing on an immunomics-based approach to antigen discovery, on adjuvant selection to customize vaccine-mediated responses, in utilizing efficient protein expression, manufacturing and scale-up platforms, and in employing human surrogates of efficacy. A systems biology approach is now being increasingly applied in the field to identify vaccine-mediated gene signatures and epistatic interactions; protein–protein interactions may also be helpful in predicting vaccine efficacy.