A microneedle patch containing measles vaccine is immunogenic in non-human primates

Abstract

Very high vaccination coverage is required to eliminate measles, but achieving high coverage can be constrained by the logistical challenges associated with subcutaneous injection. To simplify logistics of vaccine delivery, a patch containing micron-scale polymeric needles was formulated to encapsulate the standard dose of measles vaccine (1000 TCID50) and the immunogenicity of the microneedle patch was compared with subcutaneous injection in rhesus macaques. The microneedle patch was administered without reconstitution with diluent, dissolved in skin within 10 minutes, and caused only mild, transient skin erythema. Both groups of rhesus macaques generated neutralizing antibody responses to measles that were consistent with protection and the neutralizing antibody titers were equivalent. In addition, the microneedle patches maintained an acceptable level of potency after storage at elevated temperature suggesting improved thermostability compared to standard lyophilized vaccine. In conclusion, a measles microneedle patch vaccine was immunogenic in non-human primates, and this approach offers a promising delivery method that could help increase vaccination coverage.

Tetanus vaccination with a dissolving microneedle patch confers protective immune responses in pregnancy

“…Effective cross-talk between innate and adaptive immune responses generates more robust, longer-lasting immune protection [20,21]. We and other investigators have previously reported that skin immunization with metal or dissolving microneedle patches (MNPs) carrying various vaccines (influenza, inactivated poliovirus (IPV), measles, tetanus, HPV, rotavirus, BCG, malaria and RSV) confers immune responses at least non-inferior to conventional immunization as shown by lethal challenge studies, longevity of immune responses and breadth of immunity in a number of small-animal models [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30].…”

Polymeric microneedles for transdermal protein delivery

“…This delivery method induced strong cellular and humoral adenovirus-specific vaccination in macaques equivalent to the traditional intramuscular injection [102]. In a recent study, an MN patch containing sucrose and CMC was formulated to encapsulate the standard dose of measles vaccine and was tested in rhesus macaques [103]. The researchers demonstrated that the macaques responded to MN vaccination with equivalent neutralizing antibody titers compared to the conventional subcutaneous injection.…”

The success of microneedle-mediated vaccine delivery into skin

“…115,116 However, unlike hollow MN, a limitation is placed on the amount of vaccine that can be incorporated into the system 117 and vaccinees may be obliged to wait for extended periods of time to ensure complete MN degradation. 114 104 and polio 105 in rhesus macaques, with a long term aim to create a thermostable, selfadministration platform. Although an attractive platform, dissolvable microneedle (DMN) systems for vaccine delivery have required more time to reach clinical trials compared to hollow or solid microneedles.…”