The Caries Vaccine: A Growing Prospect

From Volume 26, Issue 9, November 1999 | Pages 374-380

Authors

Julian K-C. Ma

BDS, FDS RCS (Ed.), PhD

Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant, Immunology Unit, Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Guy's Hospital, London

Articles by Julian K-C. Ma

Abstract

A vaccine against dental caries, for so long a subject of purely academic research, is currently undergoing phase II clinical trials and could be available commercially within 5 to 6 years. The approach, which is safe, effective, and provides long-term protection for up to a year, is based on a topical application and does not require any injections. The development of this vaccine has been made possible by recent advances in molecular biology and genetic engineering. Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects has been the use of green plants to produce the vaccine. This article describes a topical vaccine against Streptococcus mutans, which is the main cause of dental caries.

Article

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