Advances in transmission-blocking vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organization has recommended two pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccines targeting Plasmodium falciparum. However, there is currently no vaccine available for Plasmodium vivax, the second leading cause of malaria. To eliminate malaria, transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) that can prevent infection of mosquitoes from humans would be helpful. Areas covered: This review summarizes the identification of targets, progress, and prospects in developing malaria TBVs. We searched PubMed for studies published up to 11 April 2025, using the terms [‘Pfs25’ OR ‘Pfs230’ OR ‘Pfs48/45’ OR ‘Pvs25’ OR ‘Pvs230’ OR ‘Pvs48/45’ OR ‘AnAPN1’] AND [‘malaria transmission-blocking vaccine’]. Expert opinion: After over 30 years of research and development, Pfs230 for P. falciparum and Pvs25 for P. vivax are the most advanced candidates for transmission-blocking vaccines.