Naval Medical Research Center

OHSU Researchers Develop Promising Long-Lasting Malaria Vaccine Using Novel Viral Platform

6 years ago

• Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University have developed a novel malaria vaccine that eliminated 75-80% of parasites in vaccinated rhesus macaques, offering a potential breakthrough in the fight against a disease that kills nearly 500,000 people annually. • The innovative approach uses cytomegalovirus (CMV) as a delivery vehicle to train immune T-cells to target the malaria parasite in the liver before it enters the bloodstream, potentially providing lifelong protection unlike current vaccines. • While still in early research stages, the vaccine maintained its effectiveness in monkeys a year after administration, suggesting it could overcome the limited durability that has hampered previous malaria vaccine efforts.