Laser-based vaccine adjuvants

Abstract

The invention is directed to a vaccine for generating an enhanced immune response in a subject previously exposed to non-destructive laser radiation, as compared to an immune response in a subject previously non-exposed to non-destructive laser radiation. The invention is also directed to use of a composition comprising a vaccine for use in combination with non-destructive laser radiation for generating an enhanced immune response from a subject, as compared to an immune response without the use of laser radiation. The laser exposure acts as an adjuvant for the vaccine, increasing the efficacy and/or potency of the vaccine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vaccine for generating an enhanced immune response in a subject previously exposed to non-destructive laser radiation, as compared to an immune response in a subject previously non-exposed to non-destructive laser radiation. 
     
     
         2 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is non-responsive to the vaccine without the previous exposure to non-destructive laser radiation. 
     
     
         3 . The vaccine of  claim 1  comprising an amount of HSP 70. 
     
     
         4 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced response is received from the subject with increased HSP 70 concentration due to the previous exposure to non-destructive laser radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced response is received from the subject with an increased Langerhans cell concentration due to the previous exposure to non-destructive laser radiation. 
     
     
         6 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the previous exposure to the non-destructive laser radiation was of a frequency of the laser is about 1 to about 20 kilohertz, a power of the laser is about 1 to about 10 watts, and a pulse duration is about 1 to about 1000 nanoseconds. 
     
     
         7 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the previous exposure to the non-destructive laser radiation was of a wavelength of 510 nm and 578 nm 
     
     
         8 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the previous exposure to the non-destructive laser radiation was from a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. 
     
     
         9 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced immune response comprises an increase in an antibody titer specific to the vaccine. 
     
     
         10 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced immune response comprises an increased resistance to a condition. 
     
     
         11 . The vaccine of  claim 10 , wherein the increased resistance to the condition comprises a decrease in an infection rate upon exposure to a pathogen specific to the vaccine. 
     
     
         12 . The vaccine of  claim 11 , wherein the increased resistance to the condition comprises a decrease in mortality in response to an exposure to the pathogen specific to the vaccine. 
     
     
         13 . The vaccine of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is immunocompromised. 
     
     
         14 . Use of a composition comprising a vaccine for use in combination with non-destructive laser radiation for generating an enhanced immune response from a subject, as compared to an immune response without the use of laser radiation. 
     
     
         15 . Use of the composition as in  claim 14 , wherein the composition further comprises an amount of HSP 70. 
     
     
         16 . Use of the composition as in  claim 14 , wherein the enhanced immune response is generated from a non-responsive subject. 
     
     
         17 . Use of the composition as in  claim 14 , to generate the enhanced immune response from the subject with an increased HSP 70 concentration. 
     
     
         18 . Use of the composition as in  claim 14 , wherein the non-destructive laser radiation has of a frequency of the laser is about 1 to about 20 kilohertz, a power of the laser is about 1 to about 10 watts, and a pulse duration is about 1 to about 1000 nanoseconds. 
     
     
         19 . Use of the composition as in  claim 14 , wherein the previous exposure to the non-destructive laser radiation was of a wavelength of 510 nm and 578 nm 
     
     
         20 . Use of the composition as in  claim 14 , wherein the previous exposure to the non-destructive laser radiation was from a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. 
     
     
         21 . Use of the composition as in  claim 14 , wherein the enhanced immune response comprises an increase in an antibody titer specific to the vaccine. 
     
     
         22 . Use of the composition as in  claim 14 , wherein the enhanced immune response comprises an increased resistance to a condition. 
     
     
         23 . The vaccine of  claim 22 , wherein the increased resistance to the condition comprises a decrease in an infection rate upon exposure to a pathogen specific to the vaccine. 
     
     
         24 . The vaccine of  claim 23 , wherein the increased resistance to the condition comprises a decrease in mortality in response to an exposure to the pathogen specific to the vaccine. 
     
     
         25 . The vaccine of  claim 14 , wherein the subject is immunocompromised.