Control of Viremia and Prevention of Clinical AIDS in Rhesus Monkeys by Cytokine-Augmented DNA Vaccination [Barouch DH, et al. Science 2000;290:486]: This is a report from Merck and Harvard that examined the protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine augmented by IL-2 in rhesus monkeys. Among 20 animals that had been vaccinated, there was no evidence of clinical disease at 140 days after challenge. By contrast, control animals had rapid decline in CD4 cell counts, high viral loads, poor SIV-specific CD4 cell responses, and half had died by 140 days. Monkeys that received DNA vaccine without the cytokine had intermediate responses in terms of levels of viremia and CTL responses.
Comment: This is a very important study dealing with the potential use of DNA vaccine augmented by IL-2 that would be given to uninfected persons to augment immune control if HIV was transmitted. Many authorities now feel this may be the most realistic tactic for dealing with HIV in areas of the world where the disease prevalence is high and the reality of HAART is low.
posted 11/6/2000