Preventive HIV Vaccine Trial Begins Enrollment in the US and South Africa
A revolutionary clinical trial for a preventive HIV vaccine candidate has officially begun enrolling participants in the United States and South Africa. The trial aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of VIR-1388, a groundbreaking vaccine designed to induce an HIV-specific immune response.
What sets VIR-1388 apart from previous vaccine candidates is its use of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) vector. This vector assists in delivering the HIV vaccine material to the immune system without causing any harmful effects or disease. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has been providing scientific and financial support for the development of this vaccine since 2004.
To fund the trial, NIAID has teamed up with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Vir Biotechnology. The trial itself, known as study HVTN 142, is sponsored by Vir and conducted through the NIAID-funded HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN).
The trial will enroll a total of 95 HIV-negative participants across six sites in the United States and four in South Africa. These participants will be randomly assigned to receive different doses of the vaccine or a placebo. The study aims to uncover the vaccine’s efficacy and determine the appropriate dosage.
It is anticipated that the initial results of the trial will be available by late 2024. Additionally, there may be a long-term sub-study following volunteers for up to three years to further assess the vaccine’s impact. Carl Dieffenbach, Ph.D., the Director of NIAID’s Division of AIDS, will be available to discuss the research and its implications.
For those seeking more information about the trial, ClinicalTrials.gov provides details under the study identifier NCT05854381. The NIAID conducts and supports research on infectious and immune-mediated diseases to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment methods. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which includes NIAID, serves as the primary federal agency responsible for conducting medical research and investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for various diseases.
This clinical trial marks a significant stride towards developing an effective HIV vaccine and brings hope to millions impacted by this global health crisis. With ongoing research and dedicated efforts from organizations like NIAID, the world may soon witness a breakthrough in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
