Adjuvant activity of immunopotentiating reconstituted influenza virosomes (IRIVs)

Using immunopotentiating, reconstituted influenza virosomes (IRIV) as a del ivery vehicle, a number of vaccines have been developed. In humans, IRIV-ba sed vaccines containing hepatitis A and influenza antigens have been found to possess enhanced immunogenicity compared to alum-adsorbed vaccine for he patitis A or commercial subunits or whole virion influenza vaccines. These vaccines were safe and did not engender any antiphospholipid antibodies aga inst the liposome components of the IRIV. Hepatitis B, tetanus toroid and d iphtheria toroid, and nucleic acids have also been incorporated into IRIVs. These vaccines are now undergoing clinical phase I testing. IRIVs are also being evaluated in phase I trials for their ability to deliver antigens by the intranasal route, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.