Can vaccines be delivered via the lungs instead of by injection?

ScienceDaily (Oct. 15, 2012) ? In addition to the obvious benefit of eliminating the need for an injection, new vaccine delivery methods via the lungs offer particular advantages for protecting against infectious agents that enter the body through the respiratory track.

A comprehensive review article that presents the current status, challenges, and opportunities of pulmonary vaccine delivery is published in Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

In "Pulmonary Vaccine Delivery: A Realistic Approach?" Wouter Tonnis and coauthors from University of Groningen and National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Bilthoven), The Netherlands, describe the unique physiology and immune responsiveness of the respiratory track that make pulmonary vaccine delivery such an attractive alternative to traditional injections. Although pulmonary vaccination is still a young field, with much more research needed, evidence suggests administration of a vaccine to the lungs can induce a local immune response more effectively than conventional types of vaccine delivery, in addition to stimulating antibody production throughout the body. This could be especially important for combating pathogens that cause pulmonary diseases.

"The lung is an immunologic powerhouse that remains largely unexplored. Theoretically we should be able to avoid needles and simply inhale our vaccines," says Editor-in-Chief Gerald C. Smaldone, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at SUNY-Stony Brook.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers, via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Wouter F. Tonnis, Gideon F. Kersten, Henderik W. Frijlink, Wouter L.J. Hinrichs, Anne H. de Boer, Jean-Pierre Amorij. Pulmonary Vaccine Delivery: A Realistic Approach? Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery, 2012; 25 (5): 249 DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2011.0931

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/QCbRRO1fOsc/121015171027.htm

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