Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems and is often accompanied by severe pain and complications. Although the commercially available Shingrix vaccine offers strong protection, its intramuscular delivery method and high cost have limited its widespread adoption.
To address the challenges of limited adjuvant options and inconvenient administration methods, a research team led by Tsung-Hsien Chuang at the National Health Research Institutes has successfully developed a novel nucleic acid-based immune-activating composition. This adjuvant, designed for use in an intranasal shingles vaccine, has demonstrated excellent immune efficacy and promising commercial potential.
Key Advantages: Intranasal Delivery, Cost Reduction, and Enhanced Immune Response
At the core of this technology is the combination of two immune activators: CpG-2722, a TLR9 agonist, and cyclic dinucleotides, which stimulate the STING pathway. Together, they produce a synergistic effect that significantly enhances immune responses. Animal studies have shown that this adjuvant can substantially boost IgG and IgA antibody levels induced by the gE protein, whether administered intramuscularly or intranasally. This indicates strong protective efficacy against herpes zoster.
Compared to intramuscular injections, intranasal vaccines offer several advantages, including being painless, easy to administer, and more acceptable to patients—particularly those with needle phobia or compromised immunity. The newly developed immune-activating composition not only improves the vaccine’s efficacy but also reduces reliance on costly adjuvant ingredients currently used in the market. For example, Shingrix utilizes the AS01B adjuvant, which is expensive due to its limited supply, contributing to the vaccine’s high price of NT$8,500 to NT$9,500 per dose. In contrast, both CpG-2722 and cyclic dinucleotides can be synthesized chemically, significantly lowering production costs and increasing competitiveness.
Moreover, this intranasal vaccine demonstrates superior performance in eliciting IgG and IgA antibody responses. In particular, the enhanced IgA response offers better mucosal immunity, reducing the risk of viral transmission within the body. With the demand for shingles vaccines steadily increasing in major markets such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, and China, the global market has already reached billions of US dollars. The introduction of this technology not only improves vaccination rates but also provides a more cost-effective and efficient option for the global vaccine market.
Expert Insights and Future Outlook: Pioneering a New Era in Vaccine Technology
According to researcher Tsung-Hsien Chuang, this breakthrough addresses multiple challenges associated with current shingles vaccines and represents a revolutionary step in vaccine administration. The intranasal vaccine, utilizing an innovative nucleic acid-based immune-activating adjuvant, enhances immune responses while reducing costs, making protection accessible to a broader population. Patent applications have been filed, and the team plans to collaborate with domestic and international biotech and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate commercialization and bring this technology to patients worldwide as soon as possible.
Looking ahead, the team will continue clinical trials to further validate the safety and long-term efficacy of the intranasal vaccine. They also plan to explore the potential of this immune-activating composition in other vaccine applications, such as respiratory virus vaccines. Through this groundbreaking technology, the intranasal shingles vaccine is poised to become the new standard in vaccination, delivering exceptional value to global public health initiatives.
Resource: 新型核酸結構組合物成疫苗佐劑 活化免疫助抗皮蛇
