Schistosoma mansoni antigen Sm-p80: Prophylactic efficacy of a vaccine formulated in human approved plasmid vector and adjuvant (VR 1020 and alum)

► Development of an effective prophylactic vaccine against Schistosoma mansoni would be a medical breakthrough. ► The large subunit of calpain (=Sm-p80) was targeted as a vaccine candidate because of its proven protective and antifecundity potential. ► To improve and refine the efficacy of a Sm-p80-based vaccine, in the present study, the feasibility of using alum as an adjuvant for presenting Sm-p80 to the host immune system was explored. ► It was observed that vaccination using heterologous prime boost (DNA prime followed by boost with protein formulated in alum) and homologous prime boost (both prime and boost with protein formulated in alum) approaches, resulted in 61% and 55% reduction in worm burden, respectively. ► These results reinforce the potential of Sm-p80 as an excellent schistosome vaccine candidate.