The impact of genetic engineering on vaccine technology

The advent of recombinant DNA technology has rendered possible the large-scale production of polypeptides normally present on the surface of virtually any pathogen. These polypeptides, when purified from the producer organism (e.g. E. coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) can then be used as subunit vaccines. This method of vaccine production exhibits several advantages over conventional vaccine production methodologies. These include  

A number of such recombinant (subunit) vaccines have now been approved for general medical use (Table 13.9). The first such product was that of hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg), which gained marketing approval from the FDA in 1986. Two billion people are infected with hepatitis B worldwide, 350 million individuals suffer from life-long chronic infection, and more 

Infanrix-Penta (combination vaccine, containing rHBsAg produced in S. cerevisiae as one component) 

Ambirix (combination vaccine, containing rHBsAg produced in S. cerevisiae as one component) Twinrix, adult and pediatric forms in EU (combination vaccine containing rHBsAg produced in S. cerevisiae as one component) 

It seems likely that many such (recombinant) subunit vaccines will gain future regulatory approval. One such example is that of B. pertussis subunit vaccine. B. pertussis is a Gramnegative coccobacillus, transmitted by droplet infection, and is the causative agent of the upper respiratory tract infection commonly termed whooping cough . 

Recombivax (rHBsAg produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Merck Hepatitis B prevention 

---

ANTIBODIES, VACCINES AND ADJUVANTS 441 The impact of genetic engineering on vaccine technology... 

---