HIV Vaccines with Dan Barouch
Dr. Dan Barouch discusses the challenges in designing an HIV vaccine and the ongoing clinical trials with vaccine research at BIDMC.
[Podcast]
NIH Statement on World AIDS Day
“We are optimistic that an end to the HIV pandemic is feasible. However, to reach this goal, we must apply the tools and advances already at hand as we continue to follow the science in laboratories and clinics around the world. Today we honor the achievements of dedicated researchers, health care professionals, clinical trial participants and members of the global community, and we reaffirm our commitment to work together to fill the remaining gaps. [NIH news]
HIV vaccine on horizon as jab triggers immunity in humans and stops monkeys being infected
“We eagerly await the results of the phase 2b Imbokodo’, which will determine whether or not this vaccine will protect humans against acquiring HIV.”
Fifth HIV Vaccine Concept Tested for Efficacy in Humans
“Although these data are promising, we need to remain cautious,” study leader Dan Barouch, a Harvard Medical School professor, told AFP. “This is only the fifth HIV vaccine concept that will be tested for efficacy in humans in the 35+ year history of the global HIV epidemic,” added Barouch. [Yahoo News]
HIV Vaccine One Step Closer According to Harvard Study
“Dr. Dan Barouch, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and author of the study, told Newsweek he is “cautiously optimistic” about the results, but stressed there are many obstacles to overcome before a vaccine is rolled out for humans”
To Read More: [Newsweek article]
Scientists cautiously optimistic about HIV vaccine candidate
“I would say that we are pleased with these data so far, but we have to interpret the data cautiously,” said study co-author Dr. Dan H. Barouch, a principal investigator on the study, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research. “We have to acknowledge that developing an HIV vaccine is an unprecedented challenge, and we will not know for sure whether this vaccine will protect humans.” [CNN article]
There is no cure for HIV—but scientists may be getting closer
But in the latest report presented this month at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston, researchers revealed the strongest evidence yet that these latent viruses can be activated and eliminated, at least in animals. In a study involving a form of HIV that infects monkeys, Dr. Dan Barouch and his colleagues at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School showed that a drug that stimulates the immune system and activates the dormant HIV, combined with a powerful antibody that can neutralize the HIV-infected cells, prevented HIV from surging back in five of 11 animals, six months after they stopped taking ARVs. In the monkeys whose HIV did return, the virus levels were 100 times lower than they were in animals that were not treated at all.
I think our data raises the possibility that an intervention achieving a functional cure is possible,” says Barouch. “It shows a level of potential efficacy, at least in animals, that to the best of my knowledge hasn’t been seen before. [Time article]
Highlights in Basic and Clinical Research in HIV/AIDS
This meeting started in 2015 and has achieved big success with more than 400 attendees including both basic researchers and clinicians specialized in HIV/AIDS. The purpose is to discuss the most relevant publications (basic science, clinical science and epidemiology/ public health) with one of the co-authors of the publications.” [El Pais article]
Push for an HIV Vaccine Gaining Momentum
“Barouch told MD Magazine the push for an HIV vaccine has been gaining momentum.
“We developed a consortium to advance this vaccine over the past several years,” he said. “We are very pleased that multiple funders, stakeholders, and collaborators have been very enthusiastic to work together to move this vaccine forward.”
The study is named “Imbokodo” — the Zulu word for “rock” — and is a reference to an African proverb that refers to the strength of women.
The vaccine regimen is based on mosaic immunogens, which are designed to create a buffer against various strains of HIV. The diversity of HIV strains has been 1 major hurdle in creating a vaccine for the disease. The regimen has already proven effective at stopping the transmission of an HIV-like virus in monkeys.”
