Liposomal vaccine to better protect older adults from pneumococcal disease
Liposomal Encapsulation Vaccine Design for Pneumococcal Disease in Aged Subjects
['FUNDING_R01'] · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · NIH-11319728
A new liposome-based vaccine is being made to give people aged 65 and older broader and stronger protection against pneumococcal infections, especially after flu.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AMHERST, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11319728 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project is developing a Liposomal Encapsulation of Polysaccharides (LEPS) vaccine that combines capsule polysaccharides and protein antigens to target many strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Researchers are testing the LEPS formulation in aged mice and comparing immune responses and protection to the current Prevnar-13 vaccine. The team is also studying how prior influenza infection affects susceptibility to secondary pneumococcal pneumonia. If the results are promising, they plan to move toward human testing aimed at older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People aged 65 and older, especially those at higher risk for pneumonia or who recently had influenza, would be the main candidates for the eventual human trials.
Not a fit: Children, younger adults, and people currently needing treatment for an active pneumococcal infection would not directly benefit from this preclinical vaccine work right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could offer older adults broader and stronger protection against pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease, potentially reducing hospitalizations and deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Related vaccine strategies that combine polysaccharide and protein antigens have shown promise in animal studies and LEPS has matched or exceeded Prevnar-13 in normal-aged mice, but human data are not yet available.
Where this research is happening
AMHERST, UNITED STATES
- STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO — AMHERST, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PFEIFER, BLAINE A. — STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- Study coordinator: PFEIFER, BLAINE A.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.