Nearly half of the world's population is at the risk of contracting malaria. According to the World Health Organization, Malaria remains a primary cause of childhood illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent studies provide evidence of the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum - the parasite responsible for most severe infections and nearly all malaria-related deaths vaccines. Results on combination vaccines support development of malaria mRNA vaccines targeting multiple parasite stages and species.
GW and UPenn researchers developed and performed pre-clinical evaluation of mRNA vaccines targeting malaria transmission and infection. The mRNA vaccine platform successfully elicited an immune response generating high antibody titers specific against two targeted malaria proteins (PfCSP and Pfs25). The combination of mRNA vaccines against PfCSP and Pfs25 provided full protection from severe malaria.
Figure. Purified IgG from mice immunized with Pfs25 mRNA vaccine show potent dose-dependent transmission blocking activity in standard membrane feeding assays.
• Protect against malaria parasites and associated disease
• Elicits potent immune responses to malaria proteins • Flexibility and rapidity of manufacturing processes • Approach can target multiple stages and species of Plasmodium
Hayashi et. al., mRNA-LNP expressing PfCSP and Pfs25 vaccine candidates targeting infection and transmission of Plasmodium falciparum, NPJ Vaccines. 2022 Dec 1; PMID: 36456563.