Emerging strategies for advancing peptide vaccines

Peptide vaccines hold potential for cancer and infectious diseases, owing to their manufacturability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, on their own, peptides generally exhibit low immunogenicity, limiting clinical success. This article reviews emerging technologies that enhance immune responses to peptide vaccines, including carrier proteins, self-interacting peptides for supramolecular assembly, liposome delivery systems, and adjuvants to improve peptide delivery and stimulation of immune cells. It also discusses clinical considerations for peptide vaccines, including immune-driven dose-response relationships, administration strategies, and the potential role of mechanistic pharmacokinetic modeling in dosing optimization. Together, these strategies provide insights into the development of potent and durable peptide vaccines.