Study of the HIV gp120/NefTat/AS02A Vaccine to Treat Individuals With Chronic HIV-1 Infection on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)

Summary

This study will test the safety and immunogenicity of the gp120/NefTat/AS02A vaccine candidate in individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection successfully treated with HAART. The rationale for this study is based on previous scientific experiments, including data indicating that this vaccine can elicit strong HIV-1-specific T cell immune responses in humans and monkeys and lead to a retardation of HIV-1 disease progression in animal models of HIV-1 infection. The HIV vaccine to be administered during this study consists of three recombinant HIV clade B viral antigens: the envelope glycoprotein gp120 and two regulatory proteins, Nef and Tat.The antigens are formulated in a proprietary adjuvant, AS02A, comprised of two immunostimulants in an oil-in-water emulsion (gp120/NefTat/AS02A). The vaccine and the adjuvant are manufactured and provided for the study by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium. The drugs will be given by intramuscular (IM) injection at a standard dose of 20 mg together with 0.5 ml of the AS02A adjuvant. Twenty HIV-1 infected individuals will be randomly enrolled into three different study groups, receiving either the gp120/NefTat/AS02A vaccine (10 individuals), the AS02A adjuvant alone (5 individuals) or a placebo (5 individuals). After obtaining informed consent, subjects will have a history and physical exam performed and have laboratory tests to confirm they meet all inclusion and exclusion entry criteria. Women of childbearing potential will have a pregnancy test prior to each injection of the investigational product. Injections with vaccine, adjuvant alone, or placebo will then be performed at weeks 0, 4, and 12. Study participants will undergo close monitoring after each vaccination. Blood samples will be obtained for immunological assays at study baseline (2 times) and weeks 2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 24, and 48. All patients will maintain their antiretroviral treatment regimen during the entire study period.

Timeline

Start

2005-06

Primary completion

2007-09

Completion

2010-01

Drugs

Indications