SPf66, a chemically synthesized subunit malaria vaccine, is safe and immunogenic in Tanzanians exposed to intense malaria transmission

Fixed, epitope-specific, cytophilic antibody response to the polymorphic block 2 domain of thePlasmodium falciparum merozoite surface antigen MSP-1 in humans living in a malaria-endemic area

“…In particular, peptide 1 that contains the block 1-derived sequence included in the Spf66 molecule was not recognized by any plasma studied here, contrasting with reports from Tanzania showing a very high prevalence of antibodies reacting with this sequence [20]. Our results are consistent with the limited response to the conserved block 1 sequence observed in Sudanese individuals by Cavanagh et al [6] and in Gambian children by Conway et al [15].…”

Humoral Immune Response to the Anti-malaria Vaccine SPf66 in the Colombian Atrato River Region

“…This finding is supported by the observation of antibodies against the peptide in non-vaccinated populations from endemic areas (Valero et al 1993, Noya et al 1994, Teuscher et al 1994. It is noteworthy that a correlation has also been found between the low IgG antibody response to the vaccine and the presence of HLA-DR4 allele in vaccinees (Murillo et al 1991).…”

“…The peptide has been tested in animal models and human volunteers subject to experimental challenge (Patarroyo et al 1987(Patarroyo et al , 1988 as well as in individuals from endemic areas in Colombia and other countries in America and Africa (Valero et al 1993, Sempertegui et al 1994, Teuscher et al 1994.…”

“…SPf66 has been shown to induce production of specific IgG antibodies against the peptide in approximately 60% of vaccinees once immunization is completed, although such immunogenicity has not been associated to protection against malarial infections (Valero et al 1993, Sempertegui et al 1994, Teuscher et al 1994.…”

Malaria vaccines: lessons from field trials

“…Malaria vaccine candidates have already been tested in the field (Valero et al, 1993;Noya et al, 1994;Sempértegui et al, 1994) and new trials are being carried out, most notably in Tanzania Teuscher et al, 1994), Thailand (WHO, 1993) and The Gambia (Travis, 1993). Both experimental and observational studies are potentially subject to biases which affect inferences based on them.…”