1. The Human Hookworm Vaccine
- Author
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Peter J, Hotez, David, Diemert, Kristina M, Bacon, Coreen, Beaumier, Jeffrey M, Bethony, Maria Elena, Bottazzi, Simon, Brooker, Artur Roberto, Couto, Marcos da Silva, Freire, Akira, Homma, Bruce Y, Lee, Alex, Loukas, Marva, Loblack, Carlos Medicis, Morel, Rodrigo Correa, Oliveira, and Philip K, Russell
- Subjects
Ancylostomatoidea ,Vaccines ,Hookworm ,Biomedical Research ,Public Sector ,Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic ,Academies and Institutes ,Anemia ,Review ,Global Health ,Public-Private Sector Partnerships ,Recombinant Proteins ,Toll-Like Receptor 4 ,Hookworm Infections ,Technology Transfer ,Antigens, Helminth ,Helminth ,Animals ,Humans ,Na-GST-1 ,Na-APR-1 - Abstract
Highlights ► Human hookworm infection is a leading cause of iron deficiency anemia. ► An estimated 700 million people in developing countries are affected. ► The Sabin Vaccine Institute PDP is developing the vaccine in collaboration with FIOCRUZ. ► The vaccine comprises two recombinant protein antigens on alum and a TLR4 agonist. ► The partnership's plan is that the vaccine will be licensed by 2020., 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.
- Published
- 2012