Abstract
The biochemical and biological characteristics of CRM
197 are reviewed. Polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccines represent an important technological advancement that allowed for protection against dangerous diseases in vulnerable populations such as infants. The first carrier proteins, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, were chosen in the context of an extensive body of information describing their immunogenicity and safety profiles in clinical use. These carriers perform well, and they require detoxification. A non-toxic mutant of diphtheria toxin, cross-reacting material 197 (CRM
197), is a useful carrier protein with several manufacturing and other potential advantages over toxoids. For over a decade, several important and widely used routine childhood glycoconjugate vaccines against serious illnesses, including
Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcal disease, have employed CRM
197 as carrier protein. Additional clinical applications of CRM
197, as in chemotherapy, also exist.
► Cross-reacting material 197 is a nontoxic mutant of diphtheria toxoid with clinical applications. ► CRM197 is a common carrier for polysaccharide vaccines against various pathogens. ► This protein also has applications in cancer and other clinical settings.