HVTN 205 (vaccine provided by GeoVax, Inc.)
This is a phase II study that is testing two types of experimental preventive HIV vaccines. The study vaccines are called pGA2/JS7 DNA and MVA/HIV62. From here on, we will
call them the DNA vaccine and the MVA vaccine, or the “study vaccines.” They are
experimental preventive HIV vaccines.
DNA vaccine
DNA is a natural substance found in all living things, including people and viruses. DNA
instructs cells to make proteins. In this study, the DNA vaccine will tell your body to
make a small amount of some proteins that are found in HIV. Your body’s immune
system might recognize these proteins and prepare itself to fight HIV. This is called an
immune response. The DNA vaccine is similar to natural DNA, but it was made in a
laboratory. You cannot become infected with HIV or AIDS from the DNA vaccine or
from these proteins.
MVA vaccine
The MVA vaccine was made from a virus called Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus, which
was developed to protect against smallpox. The virus in the vaccine has been changed so
that it will not spread in your body. It also will not be contagious to people around you.
The MVA vaccine will instruct the body to make a few of the same proteins as the DNA
vaccine, proteins that are found in HIV. These proteins may cause the body to have an
immune response.
The study vaccines have been given to people before. HVTN 065, the first study of these
vaccines in people, involved 120 participants. These people received the DNA vaccine
and the MVA vaccine, or just the MVA vaccine, or sterile salt water without the
vaccines. In that study, the DNA and MVA vaccines did not cause safety problems and
were well tolerated.
Based on the safety results and immune responses seen in HVTN 065, researchers feel it
is appropriate to continue studying these products in a larger group of people. In Seattle, we hope to enroll 20-24, hiv-negative, healthy volunteers.
HVTN 205 FAQs: download pdf here
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