Evaluating a Potential Dose-Sparing Self-Amplifying RNA Vaccine for Induction of Functional Antibodies to Blood-Stage Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

Introduction

Next-generation malaria vaccines are urgently needed to provide greater efficacy and longevity. Antibodies targeting blood-stage merozoites can confer protection against clinical malaria through multiple Fc-mediated functions. In particular, merozoite surface protein 2 (PfMSP2), is a known target of protective antibodies that can clear merozoites via multiple antibody Fc-mediated functions, making is a highly promising vaccine candidate.