The HelicoVax experimental vaccine is designed to prevent infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the presence of which in the stomach promotes inflammation, ulcers and cancer, informs the Vaccine magazine.
In an animal study led by Dr. Steven Moss by specialists at Rhode Island Hospital, University of Rhode Island and EpiVax, this intranasal or intramuscular vaccine reduces the colonization of the stomach by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes inflammation, peptic ulcer disease and stomach cancer.
Helicobacter is a major public health risk. In the fight against it, numerous antibiotics are currently used in combination with agents that reduce the secretion of acid in the stomach. Unfortunately, the bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics and therefore difficult to eliminate.
The new vaccine may be all the more important. It contains numerous epitopes (characteristic antigen fragments recognized by the immune system). Intranasal administration turned out to be more effective – the immune reaction significantly reduced colonization by H. pylori (PAP).