HLA- and dose-dependent immunogenicity of a peptide-based HIV-1 immunotherapy candidate (Vacc-4x)

Abstract

HIV-associated specific responses were safely induced in most patients by Vacc-4x in a dose-dependent manner and were also influenced by the HLA haplotype.

Safety and efficacy of the peptide-based therapeutic vaccine for HIV-1, Vacc-4×: a phase 2 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

“…7 Vacc-4x was safe and well tolerated in previous phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in HIV-infected participants in Norway. 8,9 It was both immunogenic and induced durable immunological memory 10 and a transient reduction in viral load. 11 The present study is the fi rst Vacc-4x placebocontrolled trial incorporating a cART interruption phase and represents one of the largest prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trials for a therapeutic HIV vaccine so far.…”

Developments in HIV-1 immunotherapy and therapeutic vaccination

“…Vacc-4x consists of peptides derived from conserved domains within HIV-1 p24 Gag and induced T-cell responses in 90% of patients which were associated with reduced viral loads [73]. One and a half years after immunization, Vacc-4x responses were unchanged and 62% were still on ART treatment interruption [74].…”

Therapeutic immunization in HIV infection

“…The inactivated-gp120-depleted HIV immunogen (Remune), though unable to boost IFN-g producing HIV-specific CD8 T cells [48], was associated with a 34% decrease in the risk of virologic failure in a phase II clinical trial [49]. Intradermal injections of HIV-1 p24 peptides with recombinant GM-CSF as local adjuvant induced peptide-specific T-cell proliferation and DTHs [50] with significant reductions in HIV RNA levels [51 ]. Thus, these vaccine candidates have shown some immunogenicity and efficacy but should probably be considered in combination with other compounds.…”