Novel Drug and Vaccine Delivery Systems

Abstract

One of the major challenges in the efficiency of vaccines and drugs is suitable delivery to target locations. There are several methods for preparing and delivering vaccines. Live attenuated virus vaccines are one of the oldest and most efficient ways to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. However, they are currently used less due to their genetic instability and the possibility of change to virulent forms. In this review, new approaches to vaccine preparation and delivery systems including use of viral and bacterial vectors, deoxyribonucleic acid vaccines, virus-like particles, virosomes, and vaccines based on filamentous bacteriophage fd and E2 protein of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of Geobacillus stearothermophilus are discussed. Furthermore, some new approaches such as use of nanoparticles and aptamers in drug delivery methods are reviewed. The main advantages of new methods include reduced side effects, easy administration, stimulating of innate and specific immune responses, and vaccine or drug delivery to the exact desired locations. Keywords: Viral and bacterial vectors, Drug delivery, Vaccine, Nanoparticle, Aptamer