Development and testing of AIDS vaccines.
Recent advances in delineating the molecular biology of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have led to innovative approaches to development of a vaccine for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, the lack of understanding of mechanisms of protective immunity against HIV-1, the magnitude of genetic variation of the virus, and the lack of effective animal models for HIV-1 infection and AIDS have impeded progress. The testing of AIDS vaccines also presents challenges. These include liability concerns over vaccine-related injuries; identification of suitable populations for phase 3 efficacy studies; balancing the ethical obligation to counsel research subjects to avoid high-risk behavior with the necessity to obtain vaccine efficacy data; and the effect of vaccine-induced seroconversion on the recruiting and welfare of trial volunteers. Several candidate AIDS vaccines are nevertheless currently under development, and some are undergoing phase 1 clinical trials. Rapid progress will depend on continued scientific advancement in conjunction with maximum use of resources, open information and reagent exchange, and a spirit of international collaboration.
Koff
W C
WC
Vaccine Research and Development Branch, AIDS Program, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Hoth
D F
DF
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004989:Ethics; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007603:Jurisprudence; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014764:Viral Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines