Adjuvanticity of anti-cD40 in vaccine development

CD40 antibodies can be effective adjuvants for humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. As their mode of action is not via toll-like receptors, these adjuvants can avoid many of the side effects associated with other adjuvants that function through these receptors. CD40 antibodies can be effective in high doses, administered separately from antigen, or in very low doses conjugated to the antigen. In the former case, there are likely to be side effects such as splenomegaly, while in the case of conjugates, side effects may be avoided.