A new era in HIV vaccine development

Abstract

Since the identification of HIV in 1984, the search for a safe and effective vaccine has been relentless. While investigator-initiated research has provided substantial information regarding HIV disease and pathogenesis, and over two dozen drugs are licensed in the USA to treat HIV, the global epidemic continues unabated. Early in HIV vaccine research, the pharmaceutical industry took the initiative to produce products for clinical testing. As the likelihood of a quick success decreased, private investment waned. The public sector responded with novel mechanisms to engage industry while continuing to support academic investigators. HIV vaccine research continues to rely on the creativity of individual investigators, as well as collaborations that vary in size and complexity and offer opportunities for the efficient use of resources and accelerated progress.

Keywords::

• AIDS vaccine
• collaboration
• HIV vaccine
• product development

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to James Bradac and Jeffrey Ahlers for their review of the manuscript.

Notes

*Bacillus anthracis lethal factor without the toxin domain.

^‡Pan DR HTL Epitope, a universal helper T-lymphocyte epitope.

^§Biodegradable microparticles precoated with a positively-charged surfactant that can then absorb negatively charged molecules such as DNA, proteins or viral vectors to improve DNA absorption.

^¶Adjuvant consisting of metabolizable oil squalene and two surfactants, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and sorbitan trioleate, in an oil-in-water emulsion.

^#Labile toxin mutant derived from Escherichia coli used as a mucosal adjuvant.

**Synthetic adjuvant congener of monophosphoryl lipid A.

This information is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to reflect the complexities of the HIV vaccine pipeline.

Genes or source of epitopes and clades are shown in parentheses.

Candidate vaccines and adjuvants are listed together when administered simultaneously. Prime–boost regimens are listed as one product when administered in a combination regimen in one clinical trial.

CDC: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; CMDR: Chiang Mai Double Recombinant; GM-CSF: Granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating factor; HIVIS: HIV vaccine incidence study; IL: Interleukin; MVA: Modified Vaccinia Ankara; VEE: Venezuelan equine encephalovirus; VTL: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte; VRC: Vaccine Research Center.