Passive delivery techniques for transcutaneous immunization

Transcutaneous immunization is a potential and attractive alternative to conventional vaccination, due to the unique immunological characteristics of skin. Despite several studies on transcutaneous immunization using novel techniques, it has not been exploited to its full potential because of the complex barrier property of stratum corneum. There are several successful reports on transcutaneous delivery of vaccines by using different novel physical devices, but considering the potential problem of vaccination in developing countries, these novel physical techniques might not solve the problem of effective vaccination because of economic issues. Therefore, the research in the field of passive transcutaneous delivery of these vaccines could be more attractive and cost effective. This review mainly focuses on mechanism and adjuvants frequently used in transcutaneous immunization and several other passive techniques which have been investigated so far in the field of transcutaneous vaccine delivery.