Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The San Francisco Chronicle - Wednesday, July 12, 2000
Sabin Russell
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, funded in part by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, touted the candidate vaccine as the first "designed-for-Africa" immunization to reach the testing phase. Initially, 18 volunteers, including a member of Britain's Parliament, will serve as the human trial subjects. Later the vaccine will be tested on volunteers in Nairobi.
Unlike vaccines designed to stir up antibodies that can fend off invading microbes, the so-called DNA vaccine is engineered to stimulate production of a kind of killer white blood cell found in great quantities in the blood of Nairobi prostitutes, who caught researchers' attention because they remain HIV-negative despite regular exposure to HIV- infected men. An Oxford University-University of Nairobi partnership developed the vaccine to target the specific strain of virus that has struck hard in Kenya, the so-called subtype A.
000712
SC000709
Copyright © 2000 - San Francisco Chronicle Press. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the San Francisco Chronicle, Permissions Desk, 901 Mission Street, San Franciso, CA 94103. You may also send a fax to (415) 495-3843, or an email message to chronperm@sfgate.com. http://www.sfgate.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. 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, 2000. 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. .