Phase I of clinical HIV vaccine trial successful

In summary: Basically, yes. Although you don't necessarily have to wait ten years to get useful data out of it. A lot of these studies are done in Africa where high risk populations are studied. It's an ethical minefield, honestly.
  • #1
Pythagorean
Gold Member
4,400
312
note: Phase I is just safety testing, not efficacy. Still exciting, though!

Sumagen Canada Inc and Western University announced today that the Phase I Clinical Trial (SAV CT 01) of the first and only preventative HIV vaccine based on a genetically modified killed whole virus (SAV001-H) has been successfully completed with no adverse effects in all patients. Antibody production was also boosted after vaccination.

http://communications.uwo.ca/media/...i_clinical_trial_of_sumagen_aids_vaccine.html
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #3
Let's just call it HIV vaccine, AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection.
How do they deal with the many strains of HIV and mutation frequency?
 
  • #4
Monique said:
Let's just call it HIV vaccine, AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection.

Fixed.
 
  • #5
Monique said:
Let's just call it HIV vaccine, AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection.
How do they deal with the many strains of HIV and mutation frequency?

Not sure, I haven't read it. The molecular biology would probably be over my head.
 
  • #6
People are already stating that this is a medical breakthrough, while clearly a phase II study must still be conduced to show that the vaccine is effective.

I mean, there is a vaccine against the influenza virus, but it doesn't mean that no-one gets the flu anymore. Even people who are vaccinated can get sick.
 
  • #7
Monique said:
I mean, there is a vaccine against the influenza virus, but it doesn't mean that no-one gets the flu anymore. Even people who are vaccinated can get sick.

Is any vaccine 100% effective? I don't think that's the expectation.

Anyway, this isn't the first HIV vaccine developed. I don't know what ever happened to the MVA-B vaccine that supposedly had a 90% success rate (and only at reducing HIV to a minor infection, not curing it) in initial trials.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/09/29/new-vaccine-could-turn-hiv-into-minor-infection/
 
  • #8
Pythagorean said:
Is any vaccine 100% effective? I don't think that's the expectation.
The press release states "Sumagen anticipates not only having the first HIV vaccine in market but also the eradication of HIV/AIDS for human beings."

Anyway, this isn't the first HIV vaccine developed. I don't know what ever happened to the MVA-B vaccine that supposedly had a 90% success rate (and only at reducing HIV to a minor infection, not curing it) in initial trials.
90% sounds surprisingly good, do you have a source for that?
 
  • #12
Borek said:

Ok so the 90% success rate is based on a positive T-cell response, that indeed is not surprising.

However, my question is about effectiveness of the vaccine for a person. Take the influenza vaccine as an example, it must also raise a good T-cell response, but only reduces the risk of a person to develop the flu by ~60% (since many strains of the virus exist). I wonder if HIV would be comparable.
 
  • #13
I wonder, how would you test efficacy anyway? You can't infect people with HIV intentionally and it's not going to cure people that already have it. So do you just dose up a high-risk population with the vaccine and wait and see if average number are lower ten years later or something?
 
  • #14
Another promising HIV vaccine from Oregon Health and Science University
http://www.gizmag.com/hiv-aids-vaccine-ohsu/29042/

A very promising vaccine candidate for HIV/AIDS has shown the ability to completely clear the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a very aggressive form of HIV that leads to AIDS in monkeys. Developed at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), the vaccine proved successful in about fifty percent of the subjects tested and could lead to a human vaccine preventing the onset of HIV/AIDS and even cure patients currently on anti-retroviral drugs.
 
  • #15
Pythagorean said:
I wonder, how would you test efficacy anyway? You can't infect people with HIV intentionally and it's not going to cure people that already have it. So do you just dose up a high-risk population with the vaccine and wait and see if average number are lower ten years later or something?

Basically, yes. Although you don't necessarily have to wait ten years to get useful data out of it. A lot of these studies are done in Africa where high risk populations are studied. It's an ethical minefield, honestly.
 

What is a Phase I clinical trial?

A Phase I clinical trial is the first stage of testing a new vaccine or drug on humans. It typically involves a small group of healthy volunteers and aims to evaluate the safety and potential side effects of the vaccine.

What does it mean for a Phase I clinical trial to be successful?

A successful Phase I trial means that the vaccine has been determined to be safe for use in humans based on the data collected from the study participants. It does not necessarily mean that the vaccine is effective in preventing HIV infection.

How long does a Phase I clinical trial typically last?

Phase I clinical trials can last anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the study design and recruitment of participants. They are typically shorter in duration compared to later phases of clinical trials.

What is the next step after a successful Phase I trial?

If a Phase I trial is successful, the vaccine will move on to Phase II trials, which involve a larger group of participants and further evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. If Phase II is also successful, the vaccine will move on to Phase III trials, which involve even larger groups and are the final step before seeking approval from regulatory agencies.

Can anyone participate in a Phase I clinical trial for an HIV vaccine?

No, not everyone is eligible to participate in a Phase I clinical trial. Volunteers are carefully screened and must meet certain criteria, such as being in good health and not having any medical conditions that may interfere with the study. Additionally, participation is voluntary and individuals must provide informed consent before enrolling in the trial.

Similar threads

  • Biology and Medical
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
13
Views
749
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
1
Views
785
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
18
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
2
Views
4K
Back
Top