This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/apr/25/hiv-aids-vaccine-study-us-government

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
HIV vaccine study halted by US government over unsuccessful shots HIV vaccine study halted by US government over unsuccessful shots
(5 months later)
The US government halted a large HIV vaccine study on Thursday, saying the experimental shots were not successful in preventing infection.The US government halted a large HIV vaccine study on Thursday, saying the experimental shots were not successful in preventing infection.
Nor did the shots reduce the amount of the Aids virus in the blood when people who had been vaccinated later became infected, the National Institutes of Health said.Nor did the shots reduce the amount of the Aids virus in the blood when people who had been vaccinated later became infected, the National Institutes of Health said.
"It's disappointing," said Dr Anthony Fauci, head of NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. But he said there was "important information" gained from the study that will help determine what to try next."It's disappointing," said Dr Anthony Fauci, head of NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. But he said there was "important information" gained from the study that will help determine what to try next.
The study had enrolled 2,504 volunteers, mostly gay men, in 19 cities since 2009. Half received dummy shots, and half received a two-part experimental vaccine developed by the NIH. All were provided free condoms and given extensive counseling about the risks of HIV.The study had enrolled 2,504 volunteers, mostly gay men, in 19 cities since 2009. Half received dummy shots, and half received a two-part experimental vaccine developed by the NIH. All were provided free condoms and given extensive counseling about the risks of HIV.
It's a strategy known as "prime-boost". A DNA-based vaccine made with genetically engineered HIV material is given to prime the immune system to attack the Aids virus. Then a different vaccine, encasing the same material inside a shell made of a disabled cold virus, acts as a booster shot to strengthen that response. Neither vaccine could cause HIV.It's a strategy known as "prime-boost". A DNA-based vaccine made with genetically engineered HIV material is given to prime the immune system to attack the Aids virus. Then a different vaccine, encasing the same material inside a shell made of a disabled cold virus, acts as a booster shot to strengthen that response. Neither vaccine could cause HIV.
The idea was to train immune cells known as T cells to spot and attack the very earliest HIV-infected cells in someone's body. The hope was that the vaccine could either prevent HIV infection, or help those infected anyway to fight it.The idea was to train immune cells known as T cells to spot and attack the very earliest HIV-infected cells in someone's body. The hope was that the vaccine could either prevent HIV infection, or help those infected anyway to fight it.
A safety review this week found that slightly more study participants who had received the vaccine later became infected with HIV. It's not clear why. But the difference wasn't statistically significant, meaning it may be due to chance. Overall, there were 41 HIV infections in the vaccinated group and 30 among placebo recipients. When researchers examined only participants diagnosed after being in the study for at least 28 weeks – long enough for the shots to have done their job – there were 27 HIV infections among the vaccinated and 21 among the placebo recipients.A safety review this week found that slightly more study participants who had received the vaccine later became infected with HIV. It's not clear why. But the difference wasn't statistically significant, meaning it may be due to chance. Overall, there were 41 HIV infections in the vaccinated group and 30 among placebo recipients. When researchers examined only participants diagnosed after being in the study for at least 28 weeks – long enough for the shots to have done their job – there were 27 HIV infections among the vaccinated and 21 among the placebo recipients.
The NIH said Thursday that it is stopping vaccinations in the study, known as HVTN 505, but that researchers will continue to study the volunteers' health.The NIH said Thursday that it is stopping vaccinations in the study, known as HVTN 505, but that researchers will continue to study the volunteers' health.
Josh Robbins, 30, of Nashville, Tennessee, was one of the participants who became infected with HIV. He said he was glad he had taken part because its close monitoring meant he was diagnosed and treated much sooner than most people.Josh Robbins, 30, of Nashville, Tennessee, was one of the participants who became infected with HIV. He said he was glad he had taken part because its close monitoring meant he was diagnosed and treated much sooner than most people.
"We've got to keep moving forward," Robbins said. The study "certainly can lead us down a new direction to hopefully find something that might work.""We've got to keep moving forward," Robbins said. The study "certainly can lead us down a new direction to hopefully find something that might work."
Multiple attempts at creating an Aids vaccine have failed over the years. A 2009 study in Thailand is the only one ever to show a modest success, using a somewhat different prime-boost approach. Newer research suggests another approach – to try creating powerful antibodies that could work a step earlier than the T-cell attack, before HIV gets inside the first cell.Multiple attempts at creating an Aids vaccine have failed over the years. A 2009 study in Thailand is the only one ever to show a modest success, using a somewhat different prime-boost approach. Newer research suggests another approach – to try creating powerful antibodies that could work a step earlier than the T-cell attack, before HIV gets inside the first cell.
Both approaches need continued research funding, said Mitchell Warren of the international Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition. "Clearly an Aids vaccine remains critical," he said.Both approaches need continued research funding, said Mitchell Warren of the international Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition. "Clearly an Aids vaccine remains critical," he said.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.