Targeting T-Cell Activation for Malaria Immunotherapy: Scoping Review
Malaria remains a critical global health issue due to high mortality rates, drug resistance, and low treatment efficacy. The genetic variability of <i>Plasmodium</i> proteins complicates the development of long-lasting immunity, as it impedes the human immune system’s ability to sustain...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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author | Balsa Nobility Gustifante Shafia Khairani Nisa Fauziah Silvita Fitri Riswari Afiat Berbudi |
author_facet | Balsa Nobility Gustifante Shafia Khairani Nisa Fauziah Silvita Fitri Riswari Afiat Berbudi |
author_sort | Balsa Nobility Gustifante |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Malaria remains a critical global health issue due to high mortality rates, drug resistance, and low treatment efficacy. The genetic variability of <i>Plasmodium</i> proteins complicates the development of long-lasting immunity, as it impedes the human immune system’s ability to sustain effective responses. T cells play a crucial role in combating malaria, but the parasite’s complex life cycle—spanning liver and blood stages—presents significant challenges in effectively activating and targeting these cells. Immunotherapy, which enhances the immune response and promotes durable T cell activity, offers a promising avenue for more effective and lasting malaria treatments. This review systematically analyzed 63 studies published in the last decade, focusing on the role of T cells in malaria. Among the studies, 87.2% targeted T cells as immunotherapy candidates, with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells each accounting for 47.6% of the studies. γδ T cells were the focus in 7.9% of cases, while 12.7% explored non-T cell contributions to enhancing T cell-mediated responses. The findings underscore the potential of T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells, in liver-stage defense and advocate for the exploration of advanced vaccine platforms and novel therapies, such as mRNA-based vectors and monoclonal antibodies. |
format | Article |
id | doaj-art-c950845f4c67473d9aa21b7387b3d6fc |
institution | Kabale University |
issn | 2076-0817 |
language | English |
publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Pathogens |
spelling | doaj-art-c950845f4c67473d9aa21b7387b3d6fc2025-01-24T13:44:48ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-01-011417110.3390/pathogens14010071Targeting T-Cell Activation for Malaria Immunotherapy: Scoping ReviewBalsa Nobility Gustifante0Shafia Khairani1Nisa Fauziah2Silvita Fitri Riswari3Afiat Berbudi4Medical Undergraduate Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 45363, IndonesiaVeterinary Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 45363, IndonesiaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Parasitology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 45363, IndonesiaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Parasitology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 45363, IndonesiaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Parasitology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 45363, IndonesiaMalaria remains a critical global health issue due to high mortality rates, drug resistance, and low treatment efficacy. The genetic variability of <i>Plasmodium</i> proteins complicates the development of long-lasting immunity, as it impedes the human immune system’s ability to sustain effective responses. T cells play a crucial role in combating malaria, but the parasite’s complex life cycle—spanning liver and blood stages—presents significant challenges in effectively activating and targeting these cells. Immunotherapy, which enhances the immune response and promotes durable T cell activity, offers a promising avenue for more effective and lasting malaria treatments. This review systematically analyzed 63 studies published in the last decade, focusing on the role of T cells in malaria. Among the studies, 87.2% targeted T cells as immunotherapy candidates, with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells each accounting for 47.6% of the studies. γδ T cells were the focus in 7.9% of cases, while 12.7% explored non-T cell contributions to enhancing T cell-mediated responses. The findings underscore the potential of T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells, in liver-stage defense and advocate for the exploration of advanced vaccine platforms and novel therapies, such as mRNA-based vectors and monoclonal antibodies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/71T-cellcell-mediated immunityimmunotherapymalaria<i>Plasmodium</i> |
spellingShingle | Balsa Nobility Gustifante Shafia Khairani Nisa Fauziah Silvita Fitri Riswari Afiat Berbudi Targeting T-Cell Activation for Malaria Immunotherapy: Scoping Review Pathogens T-cell cell-mediated immunity immunotherapy malaria <i>Plasmodium</i> |
title | Targeting T-Cell Activation for Malaria Immunotherapy: Scoping Review |
title_full | Targeting T-Cell Activation for Malaria Immunotherapy: Scoping Review |
title_fullStr | Targeting T-Cell Activation for Malaria Immunotherapy: Scoping Review |
title_full_unstemmed | Targeting T-Cell Activation for Malaria Immunotherapy: Scoping Review |
title_short | Targeting T-Cell Activation for Malaria Immunotherapy: Scoping Review |
title_sort | targeting t cell activation for malaria immunotherapy scoping review |
topic | T-cell cell-mediated immunity immunotherapy malaria <i>Plasmodium</i> |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/71 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT balsanobilitygustifante targetingtcellactivationformalariaimmunotherapyscopingreview AT shafiakhairani targetingtcellactivationformalariaimmunotherapyscopingreview AT nisafauziah targetingtcellactivationformalariaimmunotherapyscopingreview AT silvitafitririswari targetingtcellactivationformalariaimmunotherapyscopingreview AT afiatberbudi targetingtcellactivationformalariaimmunotherapyscopingreview |