This study investigates the immunological correlates of protection induced by Strangvac®, a recombinant fusion protein vaccine containing antigens from Streptococcus equi and formulated with a saponin-based adjuvant, in ponies challenged with high doses of the pathogen. The research highlights that antibody titers to specific antigens: IdeE, Eq85, and CCE are robust correlates of protection and […]

This comprehensive review highlights the emerging potential of saponin-based nanocarriers as versatile and sustainable adjuvants in drug and vaccine delivery, emphasizing their ability to enhance immune responses and improve bioavailability of poorly soluble therapeutics. It consolidates recent advances in the structural understanding of plant-derived saponins, detailing how their molecular features, such as sugar moieties and […]

This paper presents a comprehensive, multimodal investigation into the interactions between a recombinant glycoprotein E (gE) antigen and the liposomal adjuvant system AS01B, which contains saponin-based components like QS-21, used in vaccines such as Shingrix.  Unlike traditional adjuvant-antigen studies that focus on strong physical binding, this work reveals that gE and AS01B exhibit only weak, […]

This study introduces innovative saponin-based self-adjuvanting vaccine constructs that combine tumor-associated carbohydrate and peptide epitopes, leveraging a streamlined, synthetically accessible minimal saponin platform derived from QS-21.  The uniqueness of this work lies in its modular, late-stage conjugation strategy that allows for the integration of diverse tumor antigens, such as Gb3, Tn antigen, and MUC1, alongside […]

This study introduces a novel, cost-effective TLC-based method for quantifying quillaic acid, the core aglycone of important saponin adjuvants like QS-21, which are widely used to enhance vaccine efficacy. Unlike traditional high-cost techniques such as HPLC-MS, this method employs derivatization with a fluorescent reagent (NBD-H), allowing sensitive and selective detection of sapogenins after acid hydrolysis […]

This review article highlights the mechanistic insights and clinical evidence supporting their use within combination formulations, such as AS01, which contains QS-21 saponins. It emphasizes how saponins synergize with other immunostimulants like MPL to induce early interferon responses, promote dendritic cell activation, and generate robust T-cell immunity, including polyfunctional CD4+ T cells and NK cell […]

This study is a pioneering evaluation of the Immune-Stimulating Particle Adjuvant (ISPA), a saponin-based particulate platform related to ISCOMATRIX, in enhancing recombinant subunit vaccines against chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection.  The researchers demonstrated that incorporating ISPA with parasite antigens such as GRA7, ROP2, and profilin significantly amplified both humoral and cellular immune responses, particularly Th1-biased responses […]

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the global supply chain for quillay-derived saponin adjuvants, particularly QS-21, that are essential components of several high-impact vaccines for diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, COVID-19, and shingles. It highlights the fragility of the current supply system, which is dominated by a near-monopoly from a single supplier sourcing from a […]