An experimental new vaccine has been shown to be not only able to treat psoriasis and allergies, but protect against Alzheimer's disease, according to a study released Tuesday by researchers in Britain.
To create vaccines capable of treating multiple chronic diseases, a team led by researchers from the University of Dundee and the University of Oxford found a way to take the protein coat of cucumber mosaic virus and incorporate a tetanus vaccine-derived protein structure known to stimulate the immune system.
The vaccines, which can be preventative and therapeutic, showed positive results in models of psoriasis and cat allergy, and was demonstrated to raise antibody levels thought to be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease.
"Our research shows that this technique works in mice and, importantly, our new vaccine technology shows that it is likely to be a more effective type of vaccine than existing ones in older people," said Dr. John Foerster from the University of Dundee, who co-led the study.
The team is looking to begin clinical testing of the vaccine and has already received regulatory approval to initiate testing in humans.
Present antibodies for psoriasis treatment typically need to be injected at least once a month to keep working, and are costly. A new vaccine would offer much more affordable treatment.
"An additional important aspect of the current work is that we developed a platform technology and are currently broadening our preclinical studies to vaccines against Parkinson's disease as well as chronic pain," said another leading author, Martin Bachmann from the University of Oxford.
