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Review
. 2023 Nov 9;11(11):1704.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines11111704.

Advancements in Vaccine Adjuvants: The Journey from Alum to Nano Formulations

Sivakumar S Moni  1 , Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab  2 , Aamena Jabeen  1 , Mohamed Eltaib Elmobark  1 , Duaa Aqaili  3 , Gassem Ghoal  4 , Bassem Oraibi  2 , Abdulla Mohammed Farasani  5 , Ahmed Ali Jerah  5 , Mahdi Mohammed A Alnajai  6 , Abdul Majeed Hamad Mohammad Alowayni  1
Affiliations
Review

Advancements in Vaccine Adjuvants: The Journey from Alum to Nano Formulations

Sivakumar S Moni et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

Vaccination is a groundbreaking approach in preventing and controlling infectious diseases. However, the effectiveness of vaccines can be greatly enhanced by the inclusion of adjuvants, which are substances that potentiate and modulate the immune response. This review is based on extensive searches in reputable databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The goal of this review is to provide a thorough analysis of the advances in the field of adjuvant research, to trace the evolution, and to understand the effects of the various adjuvants. Historically, alum was the pioneer in the field of adjuvants because it was the first to be approved for use in humans. It served as the foundation for subsequent research and innovation in the field. As science progressed, research shifted to identifying and exploiting the potential of newer adjuvants. One important area of interest is nano formulations. These advanced adjuvants have special properties that can be tailored to enhance the immune response to vaccines. The transition from traditional alum-based adjuvants to nano formulations is indicative of the dynamism and potential of vaccine research. Innovations in adjuvant research, particularly the development of nano formulations, are a promising step toward improving vaccine efficacy and safety. These advances have the potential to redefine the boundaries of vaccination and potentially expand the range of diseases that can be addressed with this approach. There is an optimistic view of the future in which improved vaccine formulations will contribute significantly to improving global health outcomes.

Keywords: liposomes; mineral salts; nano vesicles; nanoparticles; vaccine adjuvants; virus-like particles.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The mechanistic approach of aluminum salts as vaccine adjuvants. This figure was Created with BioRender.com, Bio Render, Canada.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The mechanistic approach of liposomes as vaccine adjuvants. This figure was Created with BioRender.com, Bio Render, Canada.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The mechanistic approach of nanoparticles as vaccine adjuvants. This figure was created with BioRender.com, Bio Render, Canada.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The mechanistic approach of nanovesicles as vaccine adjuvants. This figure was created with BioRender.com, Bio Render, Canada.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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