Alternative Methods of Vaccine Delivery: An Overview of Edible and Intradermal Vaccines

Criscuolo, E.; Caputo, V.; Diotti, R. A.; Sautto, G. A.; Kirchenbaum, G. A.; Clementi, N.

Plants have been extensively used for developing novel biopharmaceutical-producing platforms in recent years, as they promote proper folding of exogenous proteins and are economically sustainable [20, 21] . This is also known in the context of "molecular farming," in which biomolecules of commercial value are produced in genetically engineered plants. There are several ongoing clinical trials using purified antigens transiently produced in tobacco plants (Nicotiana benthamiana) for injectable vaccine formulations. For example, Medicago recently completed a phase II clinical trial using a plant-derived, virus-like particle (VLP) quadrivalent influenza vaccine and announced a phase III clinical study in the last year (Clinical-Trials.gov identifier: NCT03301051) [22] .