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Tokyo: A new vaccine has been developed to protect against deadly cholera by grinding grains of genetically modified rice. The first human trials have shown no obvious side effects and a good immune response. Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Chiba University have published the peer-reviewed results of a phase 1 clinical trial of a vaccine named Mucoris-CTB. The MucoRice-CTB vaccine is grown in rice plants and stimulates immunity through the intestinal mucosal membrane.
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At the same time it is stable at room temperature, can be stored and transported without refrigeration and does not require needles. It can be taken only when mixed with liquid. For the study, 30 volunteers received a placebo and groups of 10 volunteers received a total of four doses of either 3 milligrams (mg), 6 mg, or 18 mg of each vaccine every two weeks.
Tests two and four months after receiving the last dose showed that volunteers who had responded to the vaccine had IgA and IgG antibodies -- two types of proteins that the immune system produces to fight infection -- with cholera toxin B ( specific to CTB). Participants who received higher doses of the vaccine were more likely to have CTB-specific antibodies. Researchers have tested the vaccine using only saline (a solution of salt equivalent to body fluid), but they expect it to work equally well with plain water.
