Another Shot at a Malaria Vaccine

摘要

Malaria, an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted by mosquito bite, has a devastating global impact, causing 300 to 500 million clinical cases and up to 800,000 deaths each year. Vaccine development for malaria is marked by many failures, some encouraging successes, and much hope. Recently, a malaria vaccine candidate (RTS,S/AS01) based on the major surface protein of the transmissible sporozoite form of the parasite advanced into phase three clinical trials in Africa, and preliminary data show 55% efficacy against malaria episodes and 35% efficacy against severe malaria (7).