The first human trials for the new HIV injectible
vaccine are under way, containing a specific protein which will target
the most virulent strain of the virus.
Researchers
from the Imperial College London, the Hull York Medical School, the
Medical Research Council clinical trial unit and the Infectious Disease
Research Institute (IDRI) have come together to evaluate the anti-HIV
shot.
The virus’ most virulent strain Clade C has caused the
greatest number of HIV infections globally, infecting half of the 34
million people carrying the virus. It is the most prevalent strain in
sub-Saharan Africa, according to an Imperial College statement.
Clade
C strain is also predominant in India, China and South America. Vaccine
candidates relevant to the sub-Saharan epidemic are critically
important to prevent large-scale HIV infection in the fight against the
global HIV epidemic.
The anti-HIV shot contains trimeric HIV
envelope protein (gp140) relevant to Clade C strain. If it does prove to
be safe, and brings on immunity, it could be considered for further
testing and evaluated for its effectiveness in protecting women against
HIV.
The trial has enrolled 36 healthy, HIV-negative women aged
18-45 years at St George’s University of London and the HYMS
Experimental Medicine Unit at York Hospital.
‘Our collaboration
marks an important juncture for the field as we begin to assess which
routes of immunisation may provide the best responses to protect women,’
said Robin Shattock, professor of immunology at Imperial College, and
who leads the consortium which developed the trial.
