Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University’s Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute have developed an HIV/AIDS vaccine candidate that appears to have the ability to completely clear an AIDS-causing virus from the body, according to research results published online by Nature.
RELATED: Immunization Resource Center
The vaccine is being tested using the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), which causes AIDS in monkeys. While T-cells triggered from conventional SIV vaccines were not able to eliminate the virus, the SIV-specific T-cells coupled with a modified cytomegalovirus (CMV) were able to eliminate the infection.
Study data showed that 50% of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) vaccinated with SIV protein-expressing rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV/SIV) vectors were able to eliminate all trace of SIV from the body after infection.
RELATED: Infectious Diseases Resource Center
With further development, an HIV-form of the vaccine candidate may soon be tested in humans.
For more information call (503) 418-2700 or visit the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute page.
