Selection of potent immunological adjuvants for vaccine construction.

With the recent development of recombinant protein and peptide immunogens, the need to improve immunogenicity has renewed interest in adjuvants. Several new adjuvants and vehicles reported to augment immunity to experimental vaccines in animal models are currently under evaluation in phase I and II clinical trials. Overall these formulations appear safe and several experimental adjuvants may be superior to alum, the only licensed adjuvant. These studies lend encouragement toward this approach to elicit and boost immunity against cancers and infectious pathogens, and indicate the need for additional large comparative adjuvant trials to advance the adjuvant trials to advance the adjuvant field.