Viral vector- and virus-like particle-based vaccines against infectious diseases: A minireview

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 15; p. e34927
• Main Authors: Henríquez, Ruth, Muñoz-Barroso, Isabel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.08.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Infectious diseases; Review; Vaccines; Viral vector vaccines; Virus-like particles; VLPs; Viral vector vaccines; VLPs; Infectious diseases; Vaccines; Virus-like particles
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34927

To overcome the limitations of conventional vaccines, new platforms for vaccine design have emerged such as those based on viral vectors and virus-like particles (VLPs). Viral vector vaccines are highly efficient and the onset of protection is quick. Many recombinant vaccine candidates for humans are based on viruses belonging to different families such as Adenoviridae, Retroviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Parvoviridae. Also, the first viral vector vaccine licensed for human vaccination was the Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine. Since then, several viral vectors have been approved for vaccination against the viruses of Lassa fever, Ebola, hepatitis B, hepatitis E, SARS-CoV-2, and malaria. VLPs are nanoparticles that mimic viral particles formed from the self-assembly of structural proteins and VLP-based vaccines against hepatitis B and E viruses, human papillomavirus, and malaria have been commercialized. As evidenced by the accelerated production of vaccines against COVID-19, these new approaches are important tools for vaccinology and for generating rapid responses against pathogens and emerging pandemic threats. •Viral vector vaccines and VLPs have emerged as new platforms for vaccine design.•Viral vector vaccines show high efficacy and rapid onset of protection.•Viral vectors facilitate the rapid response to new variants and emerging viruses.•Many human recombinant vaccine candidates are based on adenovirus and lentivirus.