HIV Vaccine

[TampaYankee]

HIV Vaccine: Western University Researchers Report Success In Trials

The Huffington Post Canada | Posted: 09/04/2013 10:00 am EDT | Updated: 09/04/2013 11:12 am EDT

A vaccine to prevent HIV has aced clinical testing, according to Canadian researchers.

The team, from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University, says the first phase of testing not only succeeded, but boosted the production of antibodies in patients it was tested on.

SAV001, one of only a handful of HIV vaccines in the world, is based on a genetically-modified 'dead' version of the virus.

“We infect the cells with a genetically modified HIV-1,” team leader Dr. Chil-Yong Kang told Ontario Business Report. “The infected cells produce lots of virus, which we collect, purify and inactivate so that the vaccine won’t cause AIDS in recipients, but will trigger immune responses.”

U.S. clinical testing began in the in March 2012, looking at HIV-infected men and women between the ages of 18 and 50. Half the target group was administered a placebo, while the other group was given SAV001. The first phase of trials wrapped up last month, with researchers optimistic about the vaccine's future.

Sumagen, the South Korean biotech firm sponsoring the vaccine, cited manufacturing, as well as USFDA requirements as hurdles in bringing the vaccine to market, but, if all goes well in trials, it could be commercially available in five years.

“We are now prepared to take the next steps towards Phase II and Phase III clinical trials," CEO Jung-Gee Cho said in a press release.

"We are opening the gate to pharmaceutical companies, government, and charity organization for collaboration to be one step closer to the first commercialized HIV vaccine.”

See Huffpost article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/09/04/aids-hiv-vaccine-western-university_n_3865059.html

[Guest NCBored]

Phase I trials are primarily safety trials, so we need to be cautious about assuming an efficacy from this data.

And it was given to HIV-infected patients.

But we can certainly hope!!

[TampaYankee]

Phase I trials are primarily safety trials, so we need to be cautious about assuming an efficacy from this data.

And it was given to HIV-infected patients.

But we can certainly hope!!

My thoughts too. A concrete sign of hope but little more than that yet.

[Guest NCBored]

On a somewhat related note, another 'gay porn star' (although not exclusively 'gay') has announced he is HIV+.

[RA1]

Aren't most vaccines counter productive or at least not effective if given after one has the disease? Isn't the point of a vaccine to build up antibodies to provide immunity or at least good resistance to the virus? Just curious.

Best regards,

RA1

[Guest hitoallusa]

Vaccines could be either prophylactic or therapeutic. So it's not counter productive since this vaccine is for therapeutic use for those infected with HIV.

[Guest NCBored]

Aren't most vaccines counter productive or at least not effective if given after one has the disease? Isn't the point of a vaccine to build up antibodies to provide immunity or at least good resistance to the virus? Just curious.

Best regards,

RA1

Vaccines could be either prophylactic or therapeutic. So it's not counter productive since this vaccine is for therapeutic use for those infected with HIV.

Hito is correct, although I suspect most people DO think of vaccines primarily as being prophylactic.

The rabies vaccine is given after exposure (infection) to prevent the progression of the disease. Vaccines are given to prevent shingles in patients who already are infected with the varicella zoster (chickenpox) virus.

There is a lot of vaccine research for AID & cancer.

[Guest hitoallusa]

NCBored, do you work at a pharmaceutical company that makes vaccines?

[Guest NCBored]

NCBored, do you work at a pharmaceutical company that makes vaccines?

I did, for many years, although that was not my area of expertise.