Needle-Free Delivery of Subunit Rotavirus Vaccines

描述（由申请人提供）：轮状病毒是导致婴儿严重肠胃炎的最常见原因，在全世界造成近100万人死亡，每年给美国造成15亿美元的损失。唯一获得fda批准的轮状病毒疫苗于1999年被撤回，因为它与肠梗阻（肠套叠）有关。我们正在研制轮状病毒亚基疫苗，其中一种含有强效细菌肠毒素佐剂LT（R192G）。当经鼻或口服给药小鼠时，这种疫苗制剂在口服攻击后诱导对轮状病毒脱落的几乎完全保护。为了提高该候选疫苗的安全性和易用性，我们建议在小鼠模型上比较三种皮肤无针免疫方法：(1)局部应用（经皮免疫）蛋白质配方，(2)使用无针注射装置给药蛋白质配方，(3)使用注射装置给药配方的DNA形式。每种交付方式将包括LT（R192G）。在II期SBIR研究中，我们将完善和准备最有效的疫苗配方，用于人类的初步安全性研究。在第三期SBIR研究中，我们将继续在人体中进行安全性、免疫原性和有效性试验，并寻求FDA的批准。成功开发基于vp6的疫苗对社会和商业都具有重要意义。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants causing nearly 1 million deaths worldwide and costing the United States 1.5 billion dollars annually. The only FDA-approved rotavirus vaccine was withdrawn in 1999 because of its association with bowel obstruction (intussusception). We are developing subunit rotavirus vaccines, one of which contains the powerful bacterial enterotoxin adjuvant LT(R192G). When delivered intranasally or orally in mice, this vaccine formulation induces nearly complete protection against rotavirus shedding after oral challenge. To increase the safety and ease of delivery of this candidate vaccine, we propose to compare three needle-free immunization methods at the skin using the mouse model: (1) Topical application (transcutaneous immunization) of the protein formulation, (2) Delivery of the protein formulation using a needleless injecting device, and (3) Delivery of a DNA form of the formulation using the injection device. Each delivery method will include LT(R192G). In Phase II SBIR studies, we will refine and prepare the most effective vaccine formulation for initial safety studies in humans. In Phase III SBIR studies, we will continue safety, immunogenicity and efficacy trials in humans and seek FDA approval. Successful development of VP6-based vaccines would be important for society and commercially significant.