Herpes immunization—on the threshold

Abstract

Objectives To review the history, public health importance and current status of vaccines intended for the prevention and treatment of genital herpes simplex virus infeclit)n.Background Primary and recurrent genital herpes remains a significant public health problem. Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines offer an important strategy for control of genital heipes.Methods Literature review. Results For more than half a century the development of a safe and effective herpes simplex virus (HSV) has remained an elusive goal. Factors complicating vaccine development have included the complex natural history of HSV infection, an intricate viral genome which has made production of simple tissue culture attenuated live viral vaccines impossible, a general lack of understanding regarding what constitutes protective immunity and an excess of poorly conceived and seriously flawed clinical research. Over the past decade prospects for developing an effective vaccine have brightened as advances in basic immunology and molecular biology have increased our understanding of HSV, and as clinical investigators have taken lessons from the mistakes of earlier research. Investigative teams both in academic centers and in industry are now making excellent progress toward the development of HSV vaccines.Conclusions The combination of increased understanding and focused application is expected to result in the development of safe and effective HSV vaccines which should be available to physicians within this decade. The goal of the prophylactic vaccine will be to prevent symptomatic primary genital infection and reduce the likelihood the patient will establish latent infection and experience recurrent disease. The therapeutic vaccines are designed for patients who experience recurrent infections with the intended benefit of reduced symptomatic and subclincial recurrences. the most common sexually transmitted diseases of humans [1,2]. Infection is typically transmit-0926-9959/96/S15.01J

Induction of mucosal immunity against herpes simplex virus by plasmid DNA immunization

“…Accordingly, we are led to the conclusion that although mucosal immunization with DNA, especially when adjuvanted with CT, is an effective means of inducing mucosal immunity, this may not result in complete protection against HSV. Indeed, protection against this agent, which if not total will result in the establishment of latency (25), is more a property of CD4 ϩ and CD8 ϩ T cells which generate type 1 cytokines (10,11). We are currently evaluating the mucosal DNA immunity approach for its effectiveness in protecting against other agents as well as exploring means of enhancing the effectiveness of delivery systems which may incur barrier immunity.…”

“…The majority of human hosts are infected by several herpesviruses, and the viruses may cause diseases that are troublesome although rarely lethal. There is a need to develop suitable vaccines, particularly against herpes simplex viruses (HSV) (25). Currently, none are licensed for use in the United States.…”

Imunoprofilaxia anti-herpética utilizando vírus geneticamente modificado: vacina DISC

“…28 This defective HSV is cultivated in Vero cells, derived from the renal cells of African green monkeys, previously modified to express gH on their surface. 29,20 The subsequent release of the DISC virions by the simian cell produces a structurally similar progeny to that of a normal HSV virion, but which is unable to produce the complete cycle of the disease in a vaccinated patient. 30 In short, although it is a nonpathogenic virus, it is capable of inducing cellular immunological and humoral response exactly like the wild virus, but without the risks associated with the latter.…”

“…28 Esse HSV defectivo é cultivado em células Vero, derivadas de células renais de macacos verdes africanos, previamente modificadas para expressar em sua superfície a gH. 29,20 A posterior liberação dos vírions DISC pela célula símia produz progênie estruturalmente similar à de um vírion normal do HSV, mas incapaz de produzir todo o ciclo da doença no paciente vacinado. 30 Em suma, é um vírus não patogênico, mas capaz de induzir resposta imunológica celular e humoral exatamente como o vírus selvagem sem os riscos incluídos neste último.…”

Herpesvirus Vaccines

“…[8,9] In addition, vaccines against HSV infections, particularly genital herpes, are currently in clinical trials. [10] Several different vaccine formulations (table I) have been evaluated, including inactivated whole virus vaccines, [11] specific glycoprotein vaccines [13][14][15] and attenuated live virus vaccines. [12] Assessment of the efficacy of these preparations has been either through their clinical or serological responses, but has more recently been assessed by measurement of cellular parameters of immunity.…”