Effect of vaccination with 3 recombinant asexual-stage malaria antigens on initial growth rates of Plasmodium falciparum in non-immune volunteers

Abstract

A placebo controlled, randomised, double blind trial was conducted in human volunteers to test a mixture of three recombinant Plasmodium falciparum blood stage antigens for its ability to reduce the initial growth rates of parasites. The vaccine contained recombinant MSP2 (3D7 allele), a portion of MSP1 (190LCS.T3) and part of the RESA antigen (C terminal 771 amino acids) in the Montanide ISA 720 adjuvant (SEPPIC). Twelve volunteers received two doses of the vaccine, 6 weeks apart. The five participants in the placebo group received an equivalent volume of the adjuvant emulsion using the same schedule. Antibody responses were low, as has been reported in earlier studies with this combination..