Therapy Areas: AIDS & HIV
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Starts First-in-Human Clinical Trial of Native-like HIV Envelope Vaccine Candidate
29 March 2019 - - US-based nonprofit scientific research organisation The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative has started a Phase I clinical trial (IAVI W001) to test a novel HIV vaccine candidate, BG505 SOSIP.664 gp140, the group said.

The aim of the trial is to assess the safety of the candidate and to determine if vaccination induces the human immune system to produce proteins known as neutralising antibodies.

BG505 SOSIP.664 gp140 is based on the HIV envelope protein, which is shaped like a three-pronged spike.

This configuration, known as a trimer, is a target for antibodies produced by the human immune system after infection. Some of these antibodies are able to block viral entry into cells.

The BG505 SOSIP.664 gp140 trimer was engineered by a team directed by John P. Moore, Ph.D., at the Weill Cornell Medical College; Rogier Sanders, Ph.D., now at the University of Amsterdam Academic Medical Center; and Andrew B. Ward, Ph.D., and Ian A. Wilson, D.Phil., at Scripps Research.

The outcome of their work was an important advance in stabilizing the highly fragile Env protein in a native-like configuration.

This is one of the first clinical trials of a native-like Env trimer, and the first time that this particular trimer is being evaluated in humans.

Previous vaccine trials involving Env concepts have tested the immunogenicity of only a portion of the Env structure or proteins that do not resemble the native structure.

In animal testing, vaccination with BG505 SOSIP.664 gp140 caused B cells to produce antibodies that neutralised the virus type from which the engineered immunogen was derived. Investigators hope to see a similar specific response in humans.

Many vaccine researchers agree that a goal of HIV vaccination will be to produce a particular type of NAb known as a broadly neutralising antibody.

These antibodies can neutralize a wide range of genetically variable HIV strains in laboratory tests, and studies show that some bNAbs can protect monkeys against a virus that is similar to HIV.

This suggests that a vaccine that is able to induce similar antibodies in people might protect them against HIV infection.

Though it is not likely that vaccination with BG505 SOSIP.664 gp140 on its own will directly lead to the production of bNAbs, the hope is that it could allow researchers to better understand what is required to induce bNAb responses.

Data from the trial will likely contribute to the development of the vaccine candidate for future trials.

Collaborators in the trial include the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle HIV Vaccine Trials Unit; Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative–Institute of Clinical Research, University of Nairobi, Kenya (KAVI-ICR, Nairobi); Massachusetts General Hospital, Translational and Clinical Research Center (Boston); and the pharmaceutical company GSK.

The IAVI W001 trial will enroll approximately 60 healthy adult volunteers in Seattle, Boston, and Nairobi. Participants will receive three administrations of BG505 SOSIP.664 gp140 formulated with the AS01B1 adjuvant developed by GSK, or placebo.

Adjuvants are substances used to enhance immune responses induced by a vaccine, and the AS01 adjuvant is used in licensed vaccines.

The vaccine candidate is administered through intramuscular injection.

Teams at the trial locations will monitor participants to assess the vaccine candidate's safety and ability to elicit immune system responses.

Results of the IAVI W001 trial are expected in 2020.
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