TOWARD CLINICAL-TRIALS OF DNA VACCINES AGAINST MALARIA

In mid 1997 the first malaria DNA vaccine will enter clinical trials. This single gene DNA vaccine encoding the Plasmodium falciparum circum sporazoite protein (PfCSP) will be studied for safety and immunogenici ty. If these criteria are met, a multi-gene DNA vaccine designed to in duce protective CD8(+) T cell responses against P. falciparum infected hepatocytes will be subsequently assessed for safety, immunogenicity and capacity to protect immunized volunteers against experimental chal lenge with P. falciparum sporozoites. Our perspectives on malaria vacc ine development in general,(1) and on a multi-gene DNA vaccine in part icular,(2) have been recently reviewed. Herein, we review the rational e and experimental foundation for the anticipated P. falciparum DNA va ccine trials.