mRNA-Based Vaccine Platforms Targeting Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein: A Comprehensive Review

Mutebi Mark

Department of Pharmacology Kampala International University Uganda

Email: mark.mutebi@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

                                                                           ABSTRACT
Malaria remains a major global health burden, with Plasmodium falciparum responsible for the majority of severe disease and mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, as consistently reported by the World Health Organization. Although recent vaccine approvals marked significant progress, currently deployed protein-based platforms such as RTS, S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M demonstrated only moderate and waning efficacy, underscoring the need for innovative strategies. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate mRNA-based vaccine platforms targeting the circumsporozoite protein of P. falciparum, examining their molecular design, immunological performance, translational potential, and current limitations. This article was developed through a comprehensive narrative synthesis of contemporary literature in molecular vaccinology, malaria immunology, and nucleic acid delivery technologies. Accumulating evidence indicated that mRNA platforms offered rapid antigen engineering, potent humoral and cellular immune induction, and flexible manufacturing scalability, with promising preclinical immunogenicity against circumsporozoite protein epitopes. Lipid nanoparticle delivery systems enhanced antigen expression and promoted balanced adaptive immune responses. Nevertheless, challenges remained regarding durability of protection, cold chain logistics, antigenic diversity, and implementation in endemic regions. mRNAbased circumsporozoite protein vaccines represented a transformative frontier in malaria prevention, warranting intensified translational research and strategic global investment.

Keywords: mRNA vaccines, Circumsporozoite protein, Plasmodium falciparum, Malaria immunology, Lipid nanoparticles.

CITE AS: Mutebi Mark (2026). mRNA-Based Vaccine Platforms Targeting Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein: A Comprehensive Review. IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 11(2):46-50. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJSR/2026/11.2.4650