Two large-scale HIV vaccine trials making headway

THE HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), which is headquartered at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, and its partners are conducting two largescale clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of experimental HIV vaccine regimens, as part of a global response to the HIV/Aids epidemic.

One of these trials, called HVTN 702, was launched in November 2016 in South Africa and has enrolled 4 611 of 5 400 study participants (85%).

The second study, called Imbokodo or HVTN 705/HPX2008, recently reached 53% enrolment, having enrolled 1 384 of 2 600 women in southern Africa since its launch last November.

“We continue to work in those communities, which may benefit most from an HIV vaccine,” said HVTN director of external relations Steven Wakefield.

“We do this research with and for communities, and not on them by ensuring all involved understand we hope to find ways to protect persons from ever becoming infected.”

Principal investigator of the HVTN, virologist and faculty member at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, Larry Corey said progress to date is evidence of the critical role that public-private partnerships play in the global response to the HIV/Aids epidemic.

“Our study participants are our most critical partnership, as they demonstrate a generous commitment to help end the HIV pandemic,” Corey added.