A Study to Test the Safety of Three Experimental HIV Vaccines

There are currently several Phase I and II clinical trials being performed within AVEG to evaluate different HIV-1 vaccine candidates. The HIV-1 vaccination approach that is furthest along the clinical development pathway is the so-called prime-boost regimen of live recombinant canarypox priming (ALVAC-HIV vCP205) with recombinant subunit protein boosting (HIV-1 SF-2 rgp120 in MF59 adjuvant). The protein boost enhances neutralizing antibody responses against laboratory strains of HIV-1 in assays performed in vitro, as well as enhancing CD4 cell response and increasing the frequency of CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In all of the ALVAC-HIV trials of the prime-boost regimen completed to date, the protein boost has been the HIV-1 SF-2 rgp120 subunit protein. This study is designed to explore whether boosting of live recombinant canarypox vaccination with a novel protein subunit, recombinant HIV-1 SF-2 p24, can enhance the CD4 and CD8 cell responses directed against HIV-1 antigens. Volunteers are randomized to 1 of 5 groups. All volunteers receive a total of 4 immunizations, administered at Months 0, 1, 3, and 6. Each group receives a different combination of vaccines as follows: Group 1: ALVAC-HIV vCP205 plus HIV-1 SF-2 p24. Group 2: ALVAC-HIV vCP205 plus MF59 adjuvant and citrate vehicle (control for HIV-1 SF-2 p24 and HIV-1 SF-2 rgp120) at Months 0 and 1; then ALVAC-HIV vCP205 plus HIV-1 SF-2 p24 at months 3 and 6. Group 3: ALVAC-HIV vCP205 plus control at Months 0 and 1; then ALVAC-HIV vCP205 plus HIV-1 SF-2 p24 combined with HIV-1 SF-2 rgp120 at Months 3 and 6. Group 4: ALVAC-HIV vCP205 plus control at Months 0 and 1; then ALVAC-HIV vCP205 plus HIV-1 SF-2 rgp 120 at Months 3 and 6. Group 5: ALVAC-RG vCP65 (control for ALVAC-HIV vCP205) plus control at Months 0,1,3, and 6. The study lasts for approximately 18 months; patients receive clinical evaluations to measure vaccine safety at 11 study visits at specified time intervals.