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A new approach to Streptococcus pneumoniae immunization that is potentially cheaper than vaccines like Prevnar® and able to protect against any pneumococcal strain is getting closer to clinical testing.
Six years ago, Richard Malley, MD, of Children's Division of Infectious Diseases, and colleagues showed that there is a natural mechanism of protection against pneumococcus that doesn't require antibodies, and that could be exploited for a vaccine: the body's own TH17 cells, which prevent the bacterium from colonizing the upper respiratory tract.
In a new study, Dr. Malley and colleagues at Genocea Biosciences screened a comprehensive library of S. pneumoniae proteins, finding those that activated TH17 cells in mice. When live mice were immunized with these antigens, they showed near-complete protection from S. pneumoniae colonization. These same antigenic proteins also potently stimulated human TH17 cells from adult volunteers.
In collaboration with the international nonprofit PATH, the researchers will refine and test the most promising vaccine formulation in animals. If it proves effective and safe, they will prepare an Investigational New Drug application to begin
human trials.
Watch overview video
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