Electroporation-Based DNA Delivery
Electroporation is emerging as a preferred method for delivering DNA-based agents
Most drugs, and all genes being used for medicinal benefit, act on cellular machinery inside a cell in order to perform their intended function. Getting these agents through the cell membrane can be a significant challenge. Safely and effectively delivering DNA vaccines has been a persistent challenge to the advancement of this promising field of medical science.
Electroporation involves the application of controlled, millisecond electrical pulses to create permeability in the cell membrane and enable dramatic uptake of a biological material previously injected into local tissue.
Inovio's electroporation-based DNA delivery technology for DNA plasmid-based vaccines has displayed the following characteristics:
- Dramatically enhances cellular uptake of biological materials such as DNA vaccines
- Can induce significant immune responses, including antibody and T-cell responses
- Tolerable without anesthetic
- DNA plasmids used in conjunction with electroporation are easily, cost effectively manufactured, without manufacturing complexities
- Does not induce unwanted immune responses against the delivery mechanism, therefore it can be used for repeat administration of vaccines, e.g. for booster shots
- Electroporation itself works as an adjuvant to enhance the necessary "danger signals" that become detectable by the immune system.
Next section: Challenges and opportunities of DNA delivery technologies