The European joint project, HCVAX, aims to develop an innovative nanotechnology-based vaccination against hepatitis C. The transnational consortium has researchers from France, Switzerland and Germany.
The Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology department of the German Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) has joined the consortium.
Currently, no efficacious vaccine against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) exists. HCV infections may lead to development of cancer and liver cirrhosis. The virus affects around 3% of the European population and over 170 million in the world. HCV virus infections occur due to re-use of syringes and surgical operations, including transplantation surgeries. The current treatments are ineffective in most patients and have detrimental side effects. They are also expensive.
"RNA replicons" bring the genetic information of the HCV virus into the body using novel synthetic biocompatible nanogels. These nanogels are made up of a biopolymer matrix. They can be taken up by immune cells and harmless components of HCV can be produced. The immune cell will then generate memory cells leading to successful vaccination against HCV.
Adjuvants or drug amplifiers, improve the immune response. HZI aims to identify effective adjuvants for adding to the nanogel composition.
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs and Medipol in Switzerland, the Institut Pasteur and Hôpital Cochin in France, and the EDI and HZI from Germany have partnered in the joint HCV vaccine project. The "EuroNanoMed Joint Transnational Initiative" and the German Ministry for Research and Education are funding the project.
Source: http://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/