Vaccinating against bugs often involves delivering antigens to stimulate an
immune response. Gastric acids break down antigens delivered orally, and
injected drugs can be destroyed by the liver or kidneys. So Electrofect of Oslo
is suggesting another way: injecting the antigen into muscle while pulsing a
voltage across it (WO 01/85202). Done under local anaesthetic, this creates
temporary micropores in the muscle cells which let antigens and drugs into the
cells. The pores close up again when the current flow stops.
Technology
Muscle in on vaccination
By Barry Fox
23 February 2002
