Malaria Vaccine Development by ICMR
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has introduced a promising vaccine candidate named AdFalciVax for malaria, aimed to address and combat the disease more effectively.
About Malaria
- Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily causing symptoms like fever, chills, and nausea.
- Severe cases can lead to complications such as seizures and organ damage.
- The disease historically claimed millions of lives and currently kills about 400,000 people annually, per WHO.
- Africa has the highest malaria-related mortality rates, with countries like Nigeria and Tanzania severely affected.
- India has seen a significant reduction in malaria deaths, from 1,151 in 1995 to 83 in 2022.
AdFalciVax Vaccine
- Target Pathogen: Mainly targets Plasmodium falciparum, the most common malaria source.
- Mechanism: A chimeric recombinant vaccine using genes of the pathogen to produce target proteins triggering immune responses.
- Proteins Used:
- Circumsporozoite Protein (CSP): Prevents infection in the immunized person.
- Pro6C Protein: A fusion of Pfs230 and Pfs48/45, preventing disease spread by disrupting the parasite's lifecycle.
- Comparison with Other Vaccines:
- AdFalcivax uses full-length CSP proteins, unlike RTS,S and R21, potentially offering better protection.
- Initial studies show over 90% protection in mice.
Vaccine Development and Trials
- AdFalciVax is yet to undergo human trials, with current data obtained from animal testing.
- Preliminary evidence suggests a longer-lasting immune response compared to existing vaccines.
- The vaccine contains alum as an adjuvant, beneficial for its stability and lack of chronic inflammation risks.
- Potentially eliminates the need for maintaining a cold chain during vaccine transport.