For most of our history, humans could do little to protect themselves against infectious diseases as dramatically illustrated by the influenza pandemic of 1918–1919. However, over the past four centuries vaccines have had an immeasurable impact on human health. In the 18th century the development of the vaccinia virus vaccine provided a safe approach to protect against the deadly scourge of smallpox. In the 19th century fundamental discoveries CAL-101 supplier in microbiology and immunology led to a basic understanding of how vaccines protect against infectious diseases. Work by Louis Pasteur, Émile Roux and others showed that vaccines containing inactivated or attenuated

microbes could protect against ancient afflictions like rabies, cholera and typhoid. The pace of scientific innovation accelerated in the 20th century in parallel with the development of new vaccines. Novel methods for producing vaccine antigens, including cell culture systems and genetic engineering, www.selleckchem.com/products/ldk378.html were invented and new ways of enhancing vaccine potency, including adjuvants and carrier protein conjugation, were discovered. Between 1913 and 1997, new

vaccines for 20 diseases became available that provided defence against feared childhood diseases, such as diphtheria, pertussis, measles and Haemophilus influenzae type b infection, and other worldwide killers, including influenza, polio and hepatitis B virus. In the first decade of the 21st century alone, 10 new vaccines have been licensed including the first therapeutic vaccine

for a viral infection (herpes zoster), the first adjuvanted prophylactic cancer vaccines (human papillomavirus), the first therapeutic cancer vaccine (prostate cancer), and the first intranasal vaccine (influenza). New technologies, new discoveries and greater understanding of human immunology Tideglusib and microbial pathogenesis will continue to facilitate the development of new and improved vaccines. The field of vaccine research and development has grown increasingly sophisticated and complex. This new textbook, written by internationally recognised vaccine experts, provides a comprehensive overview of the essential aspects of vaccine development. The six chapters of this book examine the fascinating history of vaccine development, provide a comprehensible review of vaccine immunology, elucidate the science of vaccine antigens and vaccine adjuvants, clarify the complex vaccine development pathway from concept to testing to licensure and implementation, and finally the book explores the near future describing the exciting developments that promise to deliver new vaccines for known and yet to be discovered targets as well as vaccines for non-traditional targets such as autoimmune diseases, malignancies and addiction. The editors would like to acknowledge the generations of vaccine researchers whose determination, commitment and brilliance have made the world a better and safer place.