Helminth infections vaccines

Graham, M., Smith, T.S., Munn, E.A. and Newton, S.E. (1993) Recombinant DNA molecules encoding aminopeptidase enzymes and their use in the preparation of vaccines against helminth infections. Patent No. WO 93/23542. 

One likely reason for the prevalence of helminths is their undoubted ability to down-regulate the host immune system at both the antigen-specific and polyclonal levels [3], In many chronic diseases, such as schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis, peripheral blood T cells show dramatically impaired parasite antigen-specific responsiveness [4], as discussed in more detail below. Moreover, from early reports of immunosuppression in animal models of infection, to studies in Africa linking vaccine failure to heavy helminth infection, there is clear evidence that infections can diminish reactivity to bystander antigens, particularly with increasing intensity of... 

The remarkable success that has been achieved with identification of protective, recombinant antigens against the Taenia and Echinococcus species has been in stark contrast to the general lack of success that has been achieved with vaccine development against other parasitic helminth infections (Dalton and Mulcahy, 2001). Hence, very little direction has been available from the experiences of others on how to translate a laboratory success with an anti-parasite vaccine into a practical (commercial) vaccine. First principles would suggest a host of issues that require investigation/opti-mization, for example ... 

---