V-1 Immunitor (V1) is a therapeutic vaccine comprising pooled HIV antigens
formulated into an oral pill. Recent V1 studies demonstrated body weight gain,
increase in CD4 and CD8 cells, decrease in viral load, and improved survival of
end-stage AIDS patients. The potential of V1 as a prophylactic vaccine has been
evaluated in a phase II placebo-controlled trial on 35 volunteers. Twenty
HIV-negative volunteers who received V1 b.i.d. for 4 weeks had gained 28.2 and
17.5% in absolute CD4 (825 versus 1058; P=0.007) and CD8 (597 versus 702;
P=0.013) cells, while lymphocytes in placebo group did not increase, suggesting
that CD4 and CD8 counts may become an easily measurable immune correlate of the
efficacy of AIDS vaccines. V1 does not appear to induce HIV-specific antibodies
as orally administered immunogens usually produce cell-mediated but not systemic
humoral response. V1 as a preventive oral vaccine targeting cellular and mucosal
immunity deserves further evaluation.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
