Dear Reader,
We are delighted to broaden the scope and accordingly the name of our journal to Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (HV&I) as of January 2012. This broadening is a natural outgrowth of the evolution of technologies and approaches in our field, and acknowledges the increasing confluence and synergies between the fields of vaccines and immunotherapeutics. For more information please visit the HV&I website (www.landesbioscience.com/journals/vaccines) and read the Editorial Commentary in our October issue (www.landesbioscience.com/journals/vaccines/article/18260).
In the current issue we are pleased to present a series of Special Focus Reviews, dedicated to the topic Neglected Vaccines—Developing World. Populations in low-income countries confront a number of illnesses unfamiliar to most Westerners. These neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), also referred to as “poverty diseases,” are responsible for more than 500,000 deaths annually worldwide and millions of serious illnesses. Vaccines offer a promising alternative to standard treatments of NTDs. This Special Focus features eight Review articles discussing recent advances and challenges in vaccine development for Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, hookworm infection, leishmaniasis, leprosy, leptospirosis, schistosomiasis and trypanosomiasis.
As usual, we provide you with a selection of the latest News in the field of vaccines and immunotherapy in our monthly News, Policy and Profiles (NPP) section. Besides the News, this track regularly features Opinion pieces on hot and controversial topics in the vaccine field, and we also publish Profiles of biotech and pharmaceutical companies and organizations focusing on vaccines and immunotherapeutics. If you would like to share your opinion on a timely vaccine-related topic, or present your company/organization in HV&I, please contact the Acquisitions Editor Eva Riedmann ([email protected]) with your suggestions!
Finally, we want to remind you that HV&I offers several new web site features. Subscribe to our RSS feed to see the latest published papers and “Like” us on facebook for daily updates. With our iPad application you can read the full issue of HV&I anywhere, just as you would the print issue.
Sincerely,
Ronald W. Ellis, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief
Eva M. Riedmann, Ph.D.
Acquisitions Editor