AIDS Vaccine Fails in Trials

Clinical trials suspended after dismal results for most promising vaccine
By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 22, 2007 8:25 AM CDT
AIDS Vaccine Fails in Trials
AIDS patient Maximilliano Rosales uses a flashlight to illuminate small image of Christ, which he says gives him strength to fight his disease, at a private refuge for AIDS patients in San Jose, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. A new campaign for the prevention of AIDS and patient's rights was launched this...   (Associated Press)

Heavy hopes riding on an HIV vaccine were dashed as the vaccine proved so ineffective in a clinical trial that manufacturer Merck has ended the trial early. The vaccine had shown promise in animal and small-scale human tests but neither prevented nor reduced the severity of infection in a large-scale trial, the New York Times reports.

Scientists said the failure confirms the view that HIV is unlike other infections. Following the failure of an earlier conventional vaccine—one that stimulates the body to produce antibodies—this vaccine was designed to stimulate T-cells, a different component of the immune system. About 30 other AIDS vaccines are currently being tested. (More AIDS stories.)

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