About this Research Topic
Malaria remains a major global health concern. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended two vaccines for use in children who live in areas with moderate to high malaria transmission: RTS, S/AS01 (in 2021) and R21/Matrix-M (in 2023). The modest and short-lived efficacy of RTS,S/AS01 mandates that new generations of more efficacious vaccines be sought. R21/Matrix-M, the second malaria vaccine, is expected to close the gap in vaccine supply sufficiency. Both RTS, S/AS01, and R21/Matrix-M are pre-erythrocytic/anti-infection vaccines, necessitating novel vaccines targeting other Plasmodium falciparum life cycle stages. Next-generation malaria vaccines should have higher efficacy, be cost-effective, and be feasible for large-scale implementation, either alone or in combination with recommended pre-erythrocytic vaccines. Additionally, vaccines targeting Plasmodium vivax are needed to address control efforts and progress toward malaria elimination outside Africa. While P. falciparum dominates the landscape in Africa, P. vivax predominates in Asia, Central America, and South America. Furthermore, despite WHO recommendations, the detailed mechanism of protective immunity conferred by the recommended vaccines is not yet fully understood. This research topic aims to advance the understanding of malaria protective immunity acquired through natural infection and/or vaccination, with a particular focus on Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. The objective is to provide a platform for studies that delve into the immune mechanisms underlying protection, thereby informing the development of next-generation vaccines. Key questions include identifying correlates of protection, understanding the role of functional antibodies and cellular immune responses, and exploring the genetic and environmental factors influencing vaccine efficacy. By addressing these questions, the research community can contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable malaria vaccines.
Original Research, Clinical Trial, Review, Mini Review and Brief Research Report are welcome. Topics of interest include, but not limited to:
1. Analyses of correlates of protection and immunological mechanisms underlying natural and/or vaccine-induced immunity. The role of functional antibodies, cellular immune responses, and other effector functions is of great interest.
2. Studies comparing immune regulatory profiles in individuals with varying degrees of malaria exposure or vaccine responsiveness.
3. Analyses of immune regulatory profiles in malaria-exposed, non-exposed, or minimally exposed subjects, or poor responders in vaccine trials (magnitude, quality, and breadth of immune responses).
4. Natural immune response differences by gender, age group, or previous exposures (symptomatic or asymptomatic).
5. Role of the genetic background of the population in vaccine response.
6. Clinical trials for vaccine candidates, new antigens, or adjuvants; novel vaccine platforms, such as mRNA, virus-like particles, monoclonal antibodies, etc.
7. New assays for evaluating functional immune responses and experimental models for prescreening malaria vaccine candidates.
Original Research, Clinical Trial, Review, Mini Review and Brief Research Report are welcome. Topics of interest include, but not limited to:
1. Analyses of correlates of protection and immunological mechanisms underlying natural and/or vaccine-induced immunity. The role of functional antibodies, cellular immune responses, and other effector functions is of great interest.
2. Studies comparing immune regulatory profiles in individuals with varying degrees of malaria exposure or vaccine responsiveness.
3. Analyses of immune regulatory profiles in malaria-exposed, non-exposed, or minimally exposed subjects, or poor responders in vaccine trials (magnitude, quality, and breadth of immune responses).
4. Natural immune response differences by gender, age group, or previous exposures (symptomatic or asymptomatic).
5. Role of the genetic background of the population in vaccine response.
6. Clinical trials for vaccine candidates, new antigens, or adjuvants; novel vaccine platforms, such as mRNA, virus-like particles, monoclonal antibodies, etc.
7. New assays for evaluating functional immune responses and experimental models for prescreening malaria vaccine candidates.
Keywords: Malaria
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
