Safety and Efficacy of Immunization with a Late-Liver-Stage Attenuated Malaria Parasite

     This paper of the day explores the possibility of immunization with live-attenuated Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites as an alternative vaccination strategy that has the potential to improve protection than currently available options such as RTS, S/AS01 (Mosquirix), offer modest and short-lived protection. The study conducted a double-blind, controlled clinical trial to assess the safety, side-effect profile, and efficacy of a second-generation genetically attenuated parasite (GA2), a mei2 single knockout P. falciparum NF54 sporozoite. This parasite, is designed to extend development into the liver stage without causing blood-stage infection, via mosquito bites. The trial evaluated whether GA2 could give a stronger and more durable immune response compared to current vaccines.