Examples of successful ISCOM technology-based vaccine formulations abound in the literature.

To date, over 450 publications describe their immunopotentiating properties in terms of antibody responses, cellular responses, cytokine and chemokine production, and protection against infection (See Publications & Reviews). Commercially, several animal vaccines are already registered.

ISCOM technology in immunological research

The new generation of Matrix:s has opened up additional applications within immunological research. By overcoming drawbacks once associated with problematic formulations, new-generation adjuvant products are now readily available and easier to work with for many end-users. Isconova’s adjuvant, which is based on this new technology, is easily handled with any antigen, for example.

A typical antibody response is characterised by a moderate primary response that increases by a factor of 10-100 after the booster. Compared to traditional oil adjuvants, e.g. Freund’s complete, the primary ISCOM-based adjuvant response may be in the same range or somewhat lower. After booster, however, antibody responses are well within or higher than the range induced by an FCA/FIA combination. Since an ISCOM-based adjuvant is not a depot adjuvant, the adjuvant/antigen formulation is taken up and processed within as little as 24 hours. As a result, the antigen dose can be substantially reduced.

The T helper (Th) cell response induced by AbISCO® is balanced; both Th1 and Th2 cells are induced. Another characteristic reaction provoked by AbISCO® is a major IL-12 production by cells in the innate immune system, promoting the development of a strong Th1 response, associated with cellular immune responses, e.g. CTL. Thus, the balanced immune response generates all classes and subclasses of antibodies, as well as CTL. The response is initiated in draining lymph nodes but is efficiently relocated to the spleen, which makes it particularly suitable for generating monoclonal antibodies as well.

Need for new improved adjuvant

Modern biosynthetic and recombinant technologies have created increasingly pure antigens that unfortunately often encounter problems with their immunogenicity. Such developments further emphasize the need not just for effective adjuvants, but also for adjuvants that are safe, flexible and easy to use.

Many widely-used, classical formulations such as Freund’s complete or incomplete adjuvant (FCA, FIA) have difficulty meeting such high standards. FCA is well known for its toxic effects and is not compliant with today’s concerns about animal welfare. Recent regulatory developments that emphasize the ethical issues of using laboratory animals in clinical research have thus proven problematic for such products. As a result, their use is increasingly restricted. In contrast, adjuvant formulations supplied by Isconova fulfil all contemporary technical and ethical requirements.

See also: AbSICO compared to other adjuvants