Successful preparation of vaccines against HIV

For the first time in the world, an experimental vaccine has been shown to block HIV. According to the AP , this is a major turning point in the fight against ' century pandemic '.

The results are also surprising because until recently, HIV vaccine tests failed, prompting many scientists to think that the vaccine against HIV will never be produced.

On September 24, speaking in Bangkok (Thailand), the researchers said that in the world's largest trial of more than 16,000 Thai volunteers, their vaccine cut the risk of HIV infection by more than 31%. .

' Although the results are modest, this is the first evidence that we can get a safe and effective vaccine ,' said researcher Jerome Kim.

The study was carried out under the control of the Thai Ministry of Health, and tested two vaccines: ALVAC by Sanofi Pasteur (from Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceutical Group) and AIDSVAX, initially by VaxGen Inc. developed and developed by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases (a non-profit organization established by former VaxGen employees).

A laboratory technician checks the HIV virus for a blood sample at a public hospital in Valparaiso (Photo: Reuters)

ALVAC uses canarypox, a bird virus that has been modified to not infect humans, to put three HIV genes into the volunteer body . AIDSVAX contains a genetically modified HIV surface protein. These vaccines are made not entirely from viruses and do not cause infection.

The study was conducted on Thai male and female volunteers who were not infected with HIV, aged 18-30 and at an average risk of HIV infection. Half of these received four ALVAC doses and two AIDSVAX booster doses for six months. The other half was given a placebo injection.

All were given condoms, free consultation and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. They are also tested for HIV every six months and those infected will receive free treatment with antiviral drugs.

Participants were monitored three years after vaccination. As a result, 51 of the groups were vaccinated (8,197) with HIV, 31% lower than the other group.

The next goal of the study is to see if vaccines can affect the immune system and help keep HIV-infected people from developing AIDS.

According to the United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS), the world has 7,500 new HIV infections every day, and in 2007 up to 2 million people died from HIV / AIDS.