AIDS Vaccine 'Needs Focused Effort' as Drug Firms Back off Research

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

AIDS Vaccine 'Needs Focused Effort' as Drug Firms Back off Research

Nature (11/23/95) Vol. 378, No. 6555, P. 323
Butler, Declan

There is a growing consensus that the scientific world desperately needs to increase its AIDS vaccine development efforts, a sentiment that is being propelled by the increasing recognition that only a vaccine can stem the epidemic in developing nations. This need for a new vaccine strategy is anticipated to be the primary thrust of a report on AIDS vaccine research at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, which will soon be released by its Office of AIDS Research (OAR). Similar conclusions are expected from discussions of a 'task force' on vaccine research and development, which was established by the European commissioner for research, Edith Cresson. Many believe that the OAR report will advise NIH to move beyond its role of funding basic research and become a "discovery engine for the concepts for the design of the vaccine," says the review's Dani Bolognesi of Duke University. It is said that the OAR review panel has accepted criticisms of such projects as subunit vaccines as those based on gp120 and gp160 antigens, and may therefore recommend ending the method of "simply pushing ahead and testing as you go along," according to OAR director William Paul. Paul asserts that a more coordinated approach to AIDS vaccines is needed, though he notes that basic AIDS research should not be forsaken for this. Although some scientists do not feel that developing an AIDS vaccine requires abandoning the traditional vaccine development methods, most appear to agree that it is now necessary to investigate a greater number of research options.

951214
AD952233

Copyright © 1995 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1995. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1995. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.