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which this article appears: HIV
Infection/AIDS International
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Susan Mayor London
Researchers working at the Uganda Virus Research Institute have begun a trial of an AIDS vaccine with the aim of vaccinating 50 volunteers not infected with HIV, it was announced last week.
The vaccine has been developed to prevent infection with the A strain of HIV, the subtype that is prevalent in Uganda and other parts of east Africa. It represents a major step forward in efforts to prevent the spread of AIDS in Africa, as other vaccines currently being investigated are designed to combat the B strain of HIV, found in the United States and Europe.
The Ugandan phase I trial plans to recruit 50 volunteers judged to be at low risk of being infected with HIV. Several people have already volunteered to take part, and weekly information seminars are being held in Entebbe to recruit more.
The vaccine being tested in the trial contains two components—naked DNA and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA), a weakened smallpox virus—both of which contain a small insert of DNA derived from HIV. The vaccine was developed in a joint project between the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (a non-profit organisation that sponsors AIDS vaccine development), the Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit at the University of Oxford, and the University of Nairobi.
Both the DNA and MVA vectors in the vaccine deliver a gene from HIV, which results in the expression of HIV derived proteins in recipients. These proteins trigger a T cell mediated immune response.
Dr Tomas Hanke, a Medical Research Council scientist and research lecturer at Oxford University, explained: "It is hoped that this will protect against HIV infection by killing the virus before it can replicate."
"The main outcome measure will be the development of cells recognising HIV in people who have been vaccinated," reported Dr Hanke. Study participants will be followed for at least six months after vaccination—and for longer than a year, if possible—to monitor their response. The results will build on encouraging studies in the United Kingdom and Kenya into the safety of the vaccine .
Dr Pontiano Kaleebu, principal investigator in the trial at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, said: "Uganda has been a leader in accelerating prevention efforts for AIDS and was the site of the first AIDS vaccine trial in Africa." He added: "If this vaccine continues to show promise in these early trials we hope to accelerate a larger efficacy trial in east Africa."
Arrangements have been agreed to ensure that the vaccine can be provided to
the local population if it proves effective. Professor Francis Omaswa, director
general of health services in Uganda, explained: "It is important that the
fruits of our work here be available to Ugandans as soon as a successful vaccine
is created. Our agreement with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative ensures
that a successful vaccine from this partnership will be made available in our
country as soon as possible."
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Collections under
which this article appears:HIV
Infection/AIDS International
health |
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