title: GM-CSF Fails to Improve Immune Responses to Booster Hepatitis B Vaccination in HIV-Infected Individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination is an important preventive intervention for HIV-infected population. Data regarding booster HBV vaccine for persons with low HBV surface antibody (sAb) titers after vaccination in this immunocompromised population is lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomized 60 HIV-infected subjects lacking HBV protection after completion of 3 doses of HBV vaccine to receive a booster dose of HBV vaccine with 250mcg GM-CSF as an adjuvant or booster vaccine alone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GM-CSF was safe with expected side effects. However, only 35% of persons receiving GM-CSF developed protective sAb while 50% in vaccine only arm developed protection (P = 0.47). Overall, only 28% of subjects maintained protective sAb 1 year after vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GM-CSF failed to improve responses to the booster HBV vaccination. Overall, response was poor with only 42% of persons responding at one month post-vaccination confirming booster vaccination with the current HBV vaccine has poor immunogenicity among HIV-infected persons. Further research is needed to develop optimal vaccination strategies in HIV-infected persons.
authors: Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA.
authors: Edgar T
authors: ET
authors: Overton
authors: Somnuek
authors: S
authors: Sungkanuparph
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Klebert
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Royal
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Demarco-Shaw
authors: William G
authors: WG
authors: Powderly
authors: Judith A
authors: JA
authors: Aberg