Yo.Yo@p0.f8366.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Yo Yo) (09/19/90)
Here's an update for you and the others who wanted to know more about the
military vaccine trials:
The vaccine is called GP-160. It is in the 2nd year stage of research.
It supposedly delays progression of the virus. It will start with a series of
rabie vaccine injections (exactly 5) given in intervals of 7 days. If no
change in Tcells then injections of the GP160. The test is designed for
individuals who are HIV+ with high Tcell count and show no symptons. The GP
160 will be given once every 2 months for first year and then every three
months thereafter. The catch is the identical test of AZT where the vaccine
is the real thing. (Blind study). He may be getting a placebo and not know
it. Head honchos in Washington, DC (Walter Reed Army Medical Center) only know
who gets what. 30 people who participated in the first year study (who ALL
received the vaccine) and all showed an increase in their t-cell counts.
Some people have asked me about WHY they've never heard of this study. All I
can say is that the military does things in its own way...and they probably
don't want to publicize their efforts.
Anyway, if anyone has heard of GP 160, please let know. I'll keep everyone
updated as the trial begins in October.
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Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!106!8366.0!Yo.Yo
Internet: Yo.Yo@p0.f8366.n106.z1.fidonet.orgWounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (Wounded Bird) (09/22/90)
About a year ago I remember a fellow posting here that he was taking part in
tests of GP-160. He was saying his employer, The IBM Corporation, had actually
encouraged people to do so. I remember it so well because some jerk popped in
with why would you want to risk your life for a bunch of perverts and drug
abusers? God, I was pissed. <grin> This was a civilian study.
Here is what I have on Gp160. There is an entire chapter on vaccine
development in the National Academy of Sciences publication "Mobilizing
Against Aids". ( I know everyone must be getting sick of my reference to that
book but it's the best source or compendium of data I have run accross):
"The first human trial of an AIDS vaccine was conducted by Daniel Zagury of
the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris and his coworkers. They
demonstrated that a vaccinia-gp160 recombinant virus could induce both
antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immunity against HIV. The vaccine did not
produce any side effects other than the localized sore associated with a
satisfactory immune response to vaccinia."
"Phase 1 clinical trials of a gp160 subunit vaccine began at NIAID in the
summer of 1987. In January 1988 the trial was expanded to include 6 vaccine
evaluation units at medical centers around the country....A second U.S.
vaccine, a vaccinia-gp160 recombinant similar to the Zagury vaccine, is being
tested by researchers associated with the University of Washington."
"These trials will NOT provide any evidence about vaccine efficacy in human
beings. Clearly, it would be unethical to challenge recipients with live
virus. The trials are only designed to answer questions about safety and to
acquire some preliminary information about the effects of the vaccines on the
immune system."
"Scientists and reporters who cover science have a responsibilty to make it
very clear that these trials are preliminary safety trials. They do not signal
the advent of an effective solution to the AIDS problem. Raising false hopes
could diminish educational efforts that are essential to control the
epidemic."
AMEN.....W.B.
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Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!135!38!Wounded.Bird
Internet: Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.orgThe.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (The "Bird") (09/26/90)
I found some more info on vaccine development from the same source. It's not
too encouraging but ya never know what may develop......
"...This concern still exists [variability of the segment of the HIV genome
is the coding for the envelope protein] but it has been overshadowed by a much
more serious problem; repeated virus challenge studies in chimpanzees (using
HIV) and macaque monkeys (using SIV) have failed to demonstrate that vaccines
of any kind can protect against infection with these viruses. "
"Vaccines evaluated to date have included a killed whole virus vaccine, a
variety of subunit vaccines (some containing the HIV envelope protein gp120
and others containing its precursor gp160), and a vaccinia-gp160 recombinant
vaccine. In each case the animals were innoculated with a vaccine and then
challenged with the same virus isolate used to produce the vaccine. All the
animals developed persistent viral infections. As expected, the chimpanzees
did not become ill (they do not get AIDS from natural HIV infection), but the
vaccinated macaques developed AIDS and fared no better than unvaccinated
controls."
"Studies of the immune functions of the immunized animals before they were
challenged showed that the vaccines had elicited antibodies and, in some
cases, a cell-mediated immune response to the HIV or SIV antigens. In fact the
macaques immunized with killed whole virus had neutralizing antibodies. Upon
challenge, however, the animals became persistently infected."
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Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!135!38!The."Bird"
Internet: The."Bird"@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org