Vaccine

Abstract

Use of an immunogenic composition comprising VZV gE, or immunogenic fragment thereof, and a TH-1 adjuvant in the preparation of a medicament for the prevention or amelioration of shingles and/or post herpetic neuralgia. Compositions comprising a truncated VZV gE antigen and an adjuvant containing QS21, cholesterol and 3D MPL are also claimed

1 . A method of preventing or ameliorating shingles and/or post herpetic neuralgia in a patient in need thereof, said method comprising the step of administering to said patient an effective amount of an immunogenic composition comprising VZV gE, or immunogenic fragment thereof, and a TH-1 adjuvant. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the adjuvant comprises QS21. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjuvant comprises liposomes. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the liposomes comprise cholesterol. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjuvant comprises 3D MPL. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the MPL is comprised within a liposome. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gE is a truncate. Currently 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the gE is a C-terminal truncate. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the gE has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the immunogenic composition is administered to a population of individuals older than 50. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the immunogenic composition is administered to a population of immunocompromised individuals. 
     
     
         12 . A method for preventing and/or decreasing the severity of herpes zoster and/or post herpetic neuralgia, the method comprising delivery to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising VZV gE, or immunogenic fragment thereof, and a TH-1 adjuvant. 
     
     
         13 . An immunogenic composition or vaccine consisting essentially of a VZV gE antigen truncated to remove the carboxy terminal anchor region in combination with an adjuvant comprising QS21, 3D MPL, and liposomes comprising cholesterol. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises sequential or concomitant delivery to an individual of a VZV antigen or immunogenic derivative thereof and a live attenuated VZV or whole inactivated VZV. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a VZV antigen is delivered concomitantly with live attenuated VZV. 
     
     
         17 . The method or use according to  claim 14 , wherein the VZV antigen is a C-terminally truncated gE antigen and wherein the live attenuated VZV is an attenuated VZV OKA strain. 
     
     
         18 . A kit comprising a live attenuated VZV or whole inactivated VZV and, separately, a VZV antigen or immunogenic derivative thereof, the components suitable for concomitant or sequential delivery, or for mixing as a single composition prior to delivery. 
     
     
         19 . A kit comprising as separate components, a TH-1 adjuvant and a gE antigen or immunogenic fragment thereof, suitable for extemporaneous preparation of a vaccine composition for the prevention or amelioration of shingles and/or post herpetic neuralgia.