VACCINATION WITH mRNA-CODED ANTIGENS

Abstract

The present invention relates to vaccines comprising at least one mRNA encoding at least one antigen for use in the treatment of a disease in an elderly patient preferably exhibiting an age of at least 50 years, more preferably of at least 55 years, 60 years, 65 years, 70 years, or older, wherein the treatment comprises vaccination of the patient and eliciting an immune response in said patient. The present invention is furthermore directed to kits and kits of parts comprising such a vaccine and/or its components and to methods applying such a vaccine or kit.

1 . A method of stimulating an antigen specific immune response in a human subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a mRNA encoding a coronaviruses spike protein (S), wherein the subject is at least about 60 years of age. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is at least about 65 years of age. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is at least about 70 years of age. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the subject is at least about 85 years of age. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coronaviruses S protein is from a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA is provided in complex with a cationic compound. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cationic compound comprises a cationic lipid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the mRNA is provided in complex with a cationic compound and wherein the cationic compound comprises a cationic lipid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coding sequence of the mRNA has a G/C content that is increased compared with the G/C content of the coding sequence of the wild-type RNA. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA comprises a 5′ cap. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA comprises a Poly-A sequence. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA comprises a 5′ untranslated region (UTR) and/or a 3′ UTR. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA comprises a 5′ cap, a 5′UTR, a 3′UTR and a Poly-A sequence. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mRNA comprises backbone modifications, sugar modifications or base modification. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mRNA comprises a base modification. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a polyethyleneglycol. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering an adjuvant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered by intradermal or intramuscular injection. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the composition is administered by intramuscular injection. 
     
     
         20 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein antigen-specific immune response comprises production of antigen-specific antibodies. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein antigen-specific immune response comprises production of antigen-specific T-cells. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein antigen-specific immune response comprises an antigen-specific Th1 immune response. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering at least a second dose of the composition. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the second dose of the composition is administered at least 10 days after the first administration. 
     
     
         30 . A method of stimulating an antigen specific immune response in a human subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a mRNA encoding a spike protein (S) from a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, said mRNA provided in complex with a cationic compound, wherein the composition is administered by intramuscular injection. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the antigen-specific immune response provides a protective immune response in the subject.