Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Despite ongoing efforts, a highly effective vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum remains elusive. Vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stages of the P. falciparum life cycle are the most advanced to date, affording moderate levels of efficacy in field trials. However, the discovery that the members of the merozoite PfRH5-PfCyRPA-PfRipr (RCR) complex are capable of inducing strain-transcendent neutralizing antibodies has renewed enthusiasm for the possibility of preventing disease by targeting the parasite during the blood stage of infection. With Phase I/II clinical trials now underway using first-generation vaccines against PfRH5, and more on the horizon for PfCyRPA and PfRipr, this review explores the rationale and future potential of the RCR complex as a P. falciparum vaccine target.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.pt.2020.04.003

Type

Journal article

Journal

Trends Parasitol

Publication Date

06/2020

Volume

36

Pages

545 - 559

Keywords

CyRPA, Plasmodium falciparum, RH5, Ripr, erythrocyte invasion, malaria vaccine