Genetic immunization: applying recombinant DNA technology in the immune system to develop new vaccines

Genetic immunization is a new method for vaccine development where the gene for an antigen is introduced into the host, such that the host cells produce vaccine antigens in vivo. By producing antigens intracellularly, genetic immunization is able to produce protective cellular immune responses as well as antibody responses to combat pathogens and cancer. Because genetic vaccines consist of plasmid DNA, the fundamental character of this vaccine can be manipulated at will by simple recombinant DNA techniques. This ability to easily modify and test novel vaccines combined with the power to drive both arms of the immune system, gives this technology a unique potential unavailable to other vaccines to combat the most difficult of disease targets. This review will discuss the current and future applications of this technology.