Universal malaria vaccine to enter human trials

A long-awaited vaccine that protects against all strains of malaria is set to go into human trials within the next 12 months.

The vaccine, PlasProtecT, employs an ultra-low dose of whole malaria parasite that have been “put to sleep” using a chemical treatment.

This is then injected, triggering a comprehensive immune response by inducing T cells in the body.

“Our approach has entailed putting the parasite to sleep by using a new class of chemical compounds that target certain DNA sequences in the parasite,” said lead researcher on the vaccine, Professor Michael Good of Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics.

“The sleeping parasite is then injected in very small doses and we have observed very strong immune responses that can protect from multiple strains and species of the parasite, thus potentially overcoming the major hurdle to developing a vaccine.”

PlasProtectT will be administered to volunteers in a phase I clinical trial starting within the next 12 months.

The vaccine will be officially launched at the opening of Griffith University’s Laboratory of Vaccines for the Developing World this Friday 15 July, where continued development of the vaccine will take place.

It is expected the vaccine, if successful, will be inexpensive to produce, making it suitable for use in the developing world, which is hardest hit by malaria.

“Malaria kills one million children per year, most of whom are in the developing world,” said Good . “Our approach to vaccine development could lead to a significant reduction in the global burden of malaria.

“Furthermore the vaccine will be very cheap to produce, which would therefore increase the uptake in poor countries where it is needed most.”