Micro- and nanoparticle-based vaccines for hepatitis B

Abstract

The incredible success of vaccinations in contributing to public health is undeniable.In fact, vaccines are the most cost-effective public health tool for disease preventionbecause their cost is less than the combined costs of treatment, hospitalization, and time lossfrom work. However, despite the availability of vaccines, cost per dose is a factor limiting thesuccess of global vaccination campaigns, as are the limitations imposed by the need of deliveringmultiple vaccine doses. A number of approaches are being tested particularly for the deliveryof subunit vaccines, and in recent years, a number of groups have devoted their efforts todevelop nano/microparticles prepared from biodegradable and biocompatible polymers asvaccine delivery systems with the goal of inducing both humoral and cellular immune responses.Some important properties of biodegradable polymers are their documented safetyhistory, biocompatibility, and an ability to provide controlled time/rate of antigen release andpolymer degradation. The most extensively studied polymer used for encapsulating vaccineantigens is poly (lactide-co-glycolide acid) (PLGA). This chapter deals in brief with effortstargeting the use of PLGA micro-and nanoparticles for the delivery of hepatitis B surfaceantigen. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.