The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of an experimental HIV vaccine. The vaccine will be given with or without IL-12 DNA adjuvant (at three escalating doses of 100, 500, and 1,500 mcg respectively), a substance that helps the body respond to a vaccine. This study will also determine the safety and tolerability of an experimental HIV vaccine boosted with two adjuvants.
The HIV epidemic is a major global health challenge, causing tremendous human suffering and economic loss throughout the world. The need for a safe, effective, and affordable HIV preventive vaccine is critical. This study will determine the safety and immunogenicity of an experimental HIV vaccine, HIV-1 gag DNA, given with or without an IL-12 adjuvant and boosted HIV-1 gag DNA with or without IL-12 DNA adjuvant. This study will comprise two parts (Parts A and B). Part A will last 9 months and Part B, 15 months. Part A will consist of 48 participants enrolled in 4 groups. Group 1 participants will be randomly assigned to receive the gag DNA vaccine or placebo. Participants in Groups 2, 3, and 4 will be randomly assigned to receive the gag DNA vaccine and either 100 mcg, 500 mcg, or 1,500 mcg IL-12 DNA or placebo. Vaccinations for Groups 1 through 4 will be given intramuscularly and will occur at study entry and at Months 1 and 3. Part B will consist of 96 participants, enrolled in 3 groups. Participants in Part B will receive their first vaccination 2 weeks after Part A participants receive their second vaccination. Group 5 participants will receive either the HIV-1 gag DNA vaccine or placebo. Group 6 participants will receive either the HIV-1 gag DNA vaccine plus IL-12 DNA or placebo. Vaccinations for Groups 5 and 6 will occur at study entry and at Months 1, 3, 6, and 9. Group 7 participants will receive either the gag DNA vaccine plus IL-12 DNA or placebo at study entry and at Months 1 and 3. Throughout the study, blood and urine collections will occur, physical exams will be conducted, HIV testing and counseling will be offered, and interviews and questionnaires will be completed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
144
A 0.75 mL intramuscular injection of HIV gag DNA vaccine into the deltoid
Injection IL-12 DNA adjuvant intramuscularly into the deltoid
A 1 mL intramuscular injection in the deltoid
Alabama Vaccine CRS
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Project Brave HIV Vaccine CRS
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Vanderbilt Vaccine CRS
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Chiang Mai Univ. HVTN CRS
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Safety, as judged by local and systemic reactogenicity signs and symptoms, laboratory measures of safety, and adverse and serious experiences
Time frame: Throughout the study
Immunogenicity, as judged by HIV-specific cellular responses assessed by interferon-gamma ELISpot assays and by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS)
Time frame: Throughout the study
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All placebo groups will receive an intramuscular injection of sodium chloride (0.9%) in the deltoid. Group 1 will receive a 0.75 mL injection on Days 0, 28, and 84. Group 2 will receive a 0.8 mL injection on Days 0, 28, and 84. Group 3 will receive a 1.0 mL injection on Days 0, 28, and 84. Group 4 will receive a 1.5 mL injection on Days 0, 28, and 84. Group 5 will receive a 0.75 mL injection on Days 0, 28, 84, 168, and 273. Group 6 will receive a 1.5 mL injection on Days 0, 28, 84, 168, and 273. Group 7 will receive a 1.5 mL injection on Days 0, 28, and 84 and a 1 mL injection into the deltoid on Days 168 and 273.