Safety and Immunogenicity of Recombinant Low-Dosage HIV-1 A Vaccine Candidates Vectored by Plasmid pTHr DNA or Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) in Humans in East Africa

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2008
Authors
Jaoko W; Nakwagala FN; Anzala O; Omosa Manyonyi G; Birungi J; Nanvubya A; Bashir F; Bhatt K; Ogutu H; Wakasiaka S; Matu L; Waruingi W; Odada J; Oyaro M; Indangasi J; Ndinya-Achola J; Konde C; [...]; Smith, C; Barin, B; Dally, L; [...]; Kaleebu, P
Secondary
Vaccine
Volume
26
Start Page
2788
Pagination
2788-2795
Date Published
03/2008
Keywords
Adult; AIDS Vaccines; Epitopes- T-Lymphocyte; Female; Flow cytometry; gag Gene Products-Human Immunodeficiency Virus; Genetic Vectors; HIV-1; Interferon-gamma; Kenya; Leukocytes- Mononuclear; Male; Placebos; Plasmids; Uganda; Vaccines-DNA; Vaccinia virus
Abstract
The safety and immunogenicity of plasmid pTHr DNA, modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine candidates were evaluated in four Phase I clinical trials in Kenya and Uganda. Both vaccines, expressing HIV-1 subtype A gag p24/p17 and a string of CD8 T-cell epitopes (HIVA), were generally safe and well-tolerated. At the dosage levels and intervals tested, the percentage of vaccine recipients with HIV-1-specific cell-mediated immune responses, assessed by a validated ex vivo interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) ELISPOT assay and Cytokine Flow Cytometry (CFC), did not significantly differ from placebo recipients. These trials demonstrated the feasibility of conducting high-quality Phase 1 trials in Africa.