While it still might be a long way off, a potential vaccine to stop HIV/AIDS is currently in development at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), and according to a report from Oregon Live, this potential vaccine is about to enter its first human trials.
It was previously reported that a group of researchers and medical experts from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is currently developing a special gene-editing system that could potentially treat HIV and AIDS.
The vaccine in development from OHSU differs as it functions more like a traditional vaccine which aims to eradicate the virus itself and infected cells instead of a treatment that targets specific genes that are linked to HIV and AIDS. It is also a unique vaccine due to the fact that it trains the immune system to attack cells after they have been infected instead of the usual route of using pathogens to destroy cells before they can infect the body.
According to the report, the vaccine in particular targets a weakened but still live Cytomegalovirus, which is described as a type of herpes virus that stays with people for the rest of their lives but very rarely does it ever show any symptoms. This is also the virus that is the basis for the HIV vaccine.
This virus is noted to be the main carrier of the HIV genetic material and has been designed to more closely resemble an actual HIV virus to train the body's immune system to target and eliminate it.
When the vaccine was tested on infected monkeys the report states that success rates have averaged between the 50 percent and 60 percent mark but never higher. The study's lead scientist, Dr. Louis Picker, confirmed that at the time being he cannot yet determine why the success rate does not go any higher.
However, given that the clinical trials in animals have proven a level of success the tests will move forward with humans. It is further stated that recruitment for human trials have already begun and those interested can look up the application forms on the official website. From 400 candidates the test will need 75 to test the vaccine.
