Vaccines are considered a standard
preventive treatment in many clinical situations today. They work by inducing
an immune response against an inert pathogen to protect against future
infection.
A new type of vaccine – DNA vaccines – provide an alternative
method to produce immunity in organisms. First developed during the 1990s, DNA vaccines
use genetically engineered DNA to produce an immune response. They work by
causing the body to translate the injected DNA sequences into pathogenic
proteins. The body then creates
antibodies specific to the
proteins, which creates immunity without causing infection. This is important
for immune-compromised patients, including those infected by HIV; conventional
vaccines can potentially trigger an actual infection in weakened immune systems.
Though currently still in the
experimental stages, DNA vaccines have several advantages over conventional
vaccines. Conventional vaccines cover only a small number of diseases, but DNA
vaccines are relatively easy to design for a range of difficult pathogens. DNA
vaccines will target a wide range of diseases, such as cancers and allergies,
as well as infectious diseases. Studies over the past decade suggest that DNA
vaccines can be used for immunity against infections and diseases such as
HIV/AIDS and malaria that kill millions worldwide every year.
DNA vaccines
are also easier to distribute than traditional vaccines because they are more stable, avoid
the risk of accidental infection by the pathogen, and require no refrigeration.
Conventional
vaccines can potentially become inert when stored in improper environments,
while DNA vaccines are less susceptible to damage due to environmental
conditions, such as extreme temperatures or humidity. They can be administered safely
to people who live in areas where regular vaccines are difficult to maintain or
may be compromised due to the lack of proper storage facilities.
DNA vaccines, if integrated into
the body appropriately, can produce a sustained immune response, making booster
vaccinations unnecessary. After receiving a single DNA vaccine, an individual
can have lifelong immunity to a disease, decreasing the need (and cost) for
booster shots.
In addition to the general
medical benefits, DNA vaccines can provide a large economic benefit. Due to the decreased restrictions in the production and storage of
DNA vaccines compared to regular vaccines, the cost of producing and maintaining
DNA vaccines is much lower. This can be especially beneficial to people in
developing countries. According to certain case studies, the cost of developing
and manufacturing a successful and beneficial conventional vaccine can range
from $500 million to $1 billion.
Comparatively, the development and manufacturing of a DNA vaccine ranges between
$200 and $300 million.
Currently there is limited knowledge of the effects of DNA
vaccines on humans, since most tests have been conducted only on lab animals. Potential side effects could include chronic inflammation, because
the vaccine continuously stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies.
Other concerns include the possible integration of plasmid DNA into the body’s
host genome, resulting in mutations, problems
with DNA replication, triggering of autoimmune responses, and activation of
cancer-causing genes.
A
2014 market research report published by BCC Research forecasts the global
market for DNA vaccines will grow from $305.3 million in 2014 to $2.7 billion
in 2019, yielding an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 54.8%.
While research tools and animal health applications currently comprise the
commercialized market, human clinical DNA vaccines will make up the vast
majority of this market by 2019.
In the age of genomics where DNA can be
sequenced and created more quickly, accurately, and cheaper than ever before,
and where safety and handling live pathogens is fraught with risk and
difficulty, further research on DNA vaccines is surely a worthwhile pursuit when
addressing modern food security, animal health and perhaps even human
healthcare challenges.
For
our market research report on DNA vaccines, visit the following link:
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