Liposome-based vaccines for minimally or noninvasive administration: an update on current advancements

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Vaccination requires innovation to provide effective protection. Traditional vaccines have several drawbacks, which can be overcome with advanced technologies and different administration routes. Over the past 10  years, a significant amount of research has focussed on the delivery of antigens into liposomes due to their dual role as antigen-carrying systems and vaccine adjuvants able to increase the immunogenicity of the carried antigen.

Areas covered

This review encompasses the progress made over the last 10  years with liposome-based vaccines designed for minimally or noninvasive administration, filling the gaps in previous reviews and providing insights on composition, administration routes, results achieved, and Technology Readiness Level of the most recent formulations.

Expert opinion

Liposome-based vaccines administered through minimally or noninvasive routes are expected to improve efficacy and complacency of vaccination programs. However, the translation from lab-scale production to large-scale production and collaborations with hospitals, research centers, and companies are needed to allow new products to enter the market and improve the vaccination programs in the future.

KEYWORDS:

• Phospholipid vesicles
• needle-free administration
• compliance
• immune response
• mucosal immunization
• systemic immunization
• vaccination
• technology Readiness level

Article highlights

• Most of vaccines are injected parentally, resulting in poor compliance, high costs, and weak mucosal protection.

• Oral, buccal, sublingual, respiratory, and cutaneous routes are valid options to achieve cellular and humoral immunity at both local and systemic level.

• The use of liposomes can boost the efficacy of vaccines due to their capability as delivery systems and adjuvant properties.

• Tailoring liposome composition due to the administration route is of primary importance to achieve optimal results.

• The combination of liposome-based vaccines with minimally or noninvasive administration routes and medical devices are expected to improve vaccination programs.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership, or options, expert testimony, grants, or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.