News on HIV Vaccine Trials

from Erie County HIV Task Force

Last month we touched on why there hasn't been a vaccine for HIV yet. But work is being done to develop and test potential ways to combat the spread of HIV. A proof of concept found in a recent study could be the first step toward a potential vaccine. This vaccine, named eOD-GT8, is being developed between Scripps Research Institute, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the US Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, and others. Moderna is involved with the next stage of the trial due to their mRNA vaccine technology [used in SARS-CoV-2]. With a HIV exposure, this vaccine could kick off a flood of immune cells carrying antibodies to neutralize the virus by blocking a specific part of the HIV envelope protein necessary for entering CD4 cells.

And while we have this potential vaccine, in January '23 the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, announced that the independent scheduled Phase 3 Mosaico study results determined results were not effective in preventing HIV infection. Due to this, the study was discontinued. They did not have any safety issues for this vaccine regimen to report. The Mosaico Study began in 2019 and ended in October 2022, included 3,900 participants. The study included representative groups and populations vulnerable to HIV, at over 50 trial sites in Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Spain and the United States. It's unfortunate that the trial data did not show the desired achievement. However, this is why trials are constantly being developed and administered to achieve advances, be they big or small in the fight against HIV.

Watch for more information about PrEP for HIV and other vaccine study/trial detail articles as they become available. To submit questions/comments, contact the Erie County HIV Task Force at 814-315-3375 or admin@echiv.org.