NUCLEIC-ACID VACCINES

The use of nucleic acid-based vaccines is a novel approach to immuniza tion that elicits immune responses similar to those induced by live, a ttenuated vaccines. Administration of nucleic acid vaccines results in the endogenous generation of viral proteins with native conformation, glycosylation profiles, and other posttranslational modifications tha t mimic antigen produced during natural viral infection. Nucleic acid vaccines have been shown to elicit both antibody and cytotoxic T-lymph ocyte responses to diverse protein antigens. advantages of nucleic aci d-based vaccines include the simplicity of the vector, the ease of del ivery, the duration of expression, and, to date, the lack of evidence of integration. Further studies are needed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this new and promising technology.