In TAG's recent pipeline report I wrote a little about an HIV vaccine candidate that uses Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) as a vector. One of the unique features of this candidate is that it seems to persist and express the HIV antigens that it is carrying for months, at least in small animals and macaque monkeys, raising the possibility of giving just a single immunization. A phase I trial in humans was started back in 2002 in Germany and, although the data have yet to be presented, the trial's sponsor - the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative - announced yesterday that they are starting a phase II trial in South Africa. Hopefully, this is an indication that the vaccine is proving safe and immunogenic in humans. The new trial is the first phase II HIV vaccine study to take place in South Africa, it will enroll 78 men and women and last 18 months. The AAV vaccine to be used in the trial carries HIV antigens from subtype C, the most prevalent HIV subtype in southern and eastern Africa.
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