The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has decided to proceed with a phase IIa safety study of an HIV vaccine produced by the company GeoVax.
The GeoVax vaccine differs somewhat from the Merck vaccine that recently proved to be ineffective in the STEP trial. The Merck vaccine used a modified cold virus to deliver pieces of HIV’s genetic material to the immune system. The GeoVax first primes the immune system by directly delivering pieces of HIV DNA, followed by a booster shot of a disabled form of the smallpox virus, called modified vaccinia ankara (MVA). The MVA boost is designed to amplify the immune system’s initial response to the HIV DNA prime.
In animals, the GeoVax vaccine was protective against infection, and in early human studies the vaccine appeared both to be safe and to elicit a strong immune response.
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comments 1 - 8 (of 8 total)
Don, spokane, 2008-08-04 14:11:59
Of course we will not forget the infected if this works; Geovax's website says that trials are running for both preventive and therapeutic uses. This vaccine prevented animals from infection and permanently controlled infection in those already infected (reduced viral load 1000 fold from acute infection stage levels). I've lost too many friends to this so I really hope it works.
Michael Nobles, Washington, 2008-03-16 03:30:57
Don't know if I truely understand this vacine but sounds interesting. I have been poz since 1983 why not try it
Thomas, Los Angeles, 2008-03-12 12:37:00
I pray to Lord Jesus that a cure will be "sent" and thank Him for the workers who care tirelessly strive to find a cure for AIDs.
Arash, Tabriz, 2008-03-03 19:43:36
Perfect News
Beckyy, lagos, 2008-02-29 03:11:57
This is certainly good news to poz pple world over. Pray the Almighty will append his signature for it to be successful.
To very individual who has been part of this team, I say a VERY BIG THANK YOU.
Robert, , 2008-02-29 00:03:47
What is going to happen to us "the infected" when the virus is cured? Will we be forgotten? There are so many terrible diseases and so little money for funding.
Jay, Puerto Rico, 2008-02-28 13:44:38
I'll keep my Faith and Hopes, that, a Vaccine will be available within my life time; therefore, let's keep praying! Thank You to everyone involved in finding a Vaccine for HIV, May God Bless them all! More so, to each one of us who struggle with this Virus.....Best Wishes to All!
henry, boston, 2008-02-27 04:30:10
we have to find a vaccine and a therapeutic vaccine for hiv. its the challenge of our generation.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
