title: Therapeutic and prophylactic DNA vaccines for HIV-1.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  DNA vaccines have moved into clinical trials in several fields and their success will be important for licensure of this vaccine modality. An effective vaccine for HIV-1 remains elusive and the development of one is troubled by safety and efficacy issues. Additionally, the ability for an HIV-1 vaccine to induce both the cellular and humoral arms of the immune system is needed. DNA vaccines not only offer a safe approach for the development of an HIV-1 vaccine but they have also been shown to elicit both arms of the immune system.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review explores how DNA vaccine design including the regimen, genetic adjuvants used, targeting, and mode of delivery continues to undergo improvements, thereby providing a potential option for an immunogenic vaccine for HIV-1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continued improvements in delivery technology, in particular electroporation, and the use of prime-boost vaccine strategies will aid in boosting the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. Basic immunology research will also help discover new potential adjuvant targets that can be combined with DNA vaccination, such as inhibitors of inhibitory receptors.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Pathology, Stellar Chance Labs, 422 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. boyerj@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Lorenzo Antonio
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arango
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boyer
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA