Vaccination with chemically attenuated Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood-stage parasites induces parasite-specific cellular immune responses in malaria-naïve volunteers: a pilot study

Background The continuing morbidity and mortality associated with infection with malaria parasites highlights the urgent need for a vaccine. The efficacy of sub-unit vaccines tested in clinical trials in malaria-endemic areas has thus far been disappointing, sparking renewed interest in the whole parasite vaccine approach. We previously showed that a chemically attenuated whole parasite asexual blood-stage vaccine induced CD4 + T cell-dependent protection against challenge with homologous and heterologous parasites in rodent models of malaria. Methods In this current study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of chemically attenuated asexual blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasites in eight malaria-naïve human volunteers. Study participants received a single dose of 3 × 10 7 Pf pRBC that had been treated in vitro with the cyclopropylpyrolloindole analogue, tafuramycin-A. Results We demonstrate that Pf asexual blood-stage parasites that are completely attenuated are immunogenic, safe and well tolerated in malaria-naïve volunteers. Following vaccination with a single dose, species and strain transcending Plasmodium -specific T cell responses were induced in recipients. This included induction of Plasmodium -specific lymphoproliferative responses, T cells secreting the parasiticidal cytokines, IFN-γ and TNF, and CD3 + CD45RO + memory T cells. Pf-specific IgG was not detected. Conclusions This is the first clinical study evaluating a whole parasite blood-stage malaria vaccine. Following administration of a single dose of completely attenuated Pf asexual blood-stage parasites, Plasmodium -specific T cell responses were induced while Pf-specific antibodies were not detected. These results support further evaluation of this chemically attenuated vaccine in humans. Trial registration Trial registration: ACTRN12614000228684 . Registered 4 March 2014. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12916-018-1173-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.