Publisher's Synopsis
DNA vaccines have progressed rapidly from the conceptual stage to the stage of clinical trials. While studies in small laboratory animals have shown great promise, initial reports from human studies were less encouraging. Progress is being made, however, documented by the papers presented here. This volume contains the proceedings of a meeting devoted to the latest developments in DNA vaccines, from laboratory studies to clinical trials. The papers, written by leaders in the field, focus on the current state of DNA vaccines in humans and other large animals. The bulk of the studies involve DNA vaccines against HIV/SIV. Other promising trials make use of DNA vaccines against malaria and hepatitis B. The papers inform the reader about the immune basis of this form of vaccination and about approaches being developed to increase the efficacy of DNA vaccines in humans. These include the co-administration of cytokines, prime-boost strategies, optimising codon usage or the use of CpG motifs. An excellent up-to-the-minute account, this volume should be read by anyone in academia or in industry involved in DNA vaccination. The book will also be of great interest to clinicians involved in trials and those in the regulatory area.
