VaxGen's AidsVax: game up for Dr Francis as Thailand results expose shot as sham

The failure of AidsVax to prevent infection with HIV - in clinical trial results published in 2003 - triggered an intense debate about the controversial product and its manufacturer, VaxGen Inc of Brisbane, California. Mail to this website, maintained by Brian Deer, shows that existing material on a VaxGen-AidsVax index is read by significant numbers. This page seeks to further inform the discussion

BRISBANE, Calif., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VaxGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: VXGN - News) today announced preliminary results from its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial in Thailand to evaluate AIDSVAX B/E, an investigational vaccine (rgp 120) for the prevention of HIV infection.

The vaccine candidate did not show efficacy for either the primary or secondary endpoints. The primary endpoint for the trial was the prevention of infection by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The secondary endpoints concerned whether vaccination slowed the progression of disease among those who received the vaccine but later became infected with HIV. The vaccine candidate appeared to be well tolerated with no serious adverse events related to the vaccine. The vaccine cannot cause HIV infection.

The trial was well conducted in accordance with international good clinical practices. Extensive education and risk-reduction counseling were provided during the trial. Data indicate that study volunteers reported marked reductions in behaviors, including sharing of needles, associated with HIV infection."This trial was conducted according to the highest international clinical standards, and is one of many examples of Thailand's long-standing commitment to HIV vaccine development," said Kachit Choopanya, M.D., the trial's principal investigator. "With the help of the trial volunteers and national and international collaborators, Thailand has strengthened its research capacity and acquired valuable expertise with which to carry on clinical research."

The trial results were analyzed by scientists from the Bangkok Vaccine Evaluation Group (BVEG), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS Research and Prevention (SCHARP) of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and VaxGen."The outcome of this trial is one more reminder of how difficult it is to combat HIV and how important it is for the international public health community to redouble the effort to develop an effective vaccine," said Donald P. Francis, M.D., D.Sc., VaxGen's president. "Although we are disappointed with the outcome, VaxGen and our Thai collaborators have created a model that can be used around the world for advanced clinical research of an HIV vaccine."

The trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AIDSVAX B/E, primarily against the blood-borne transmission of HIV subtype E and one strain of HIV subtype B. The study volunteers were 2,546 injecting drug users in Bangkok, Thailand. During the 36-month trial, a total of seven injections were administered at months 0, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30. The ratio of vaccine to placebo recipients was 1:1.During the trial, 105 volunteers who received placebo became infected with HIV; 106 volunteers who received at least one injection of AIDSVAX B/E became infected. The annualized infection rate in placebo and vaccine recipients was 3.1%.

The trial was conducted at 17 clinical sites in the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Trial volunteers received education and counseling every six months to avoid behavior that could lead to HIV infection and were advised to assume that they may have received a placebo or that the vaccine might be ineffective."This was an international effort that brought together the public and private sectors to focus on a common cause," Choopanya said. "We owe a special debt to the people who stepped forward to volunteer for this trial. More than 90% of the volunteers completed their full three-year commitment to the study, and their dedication should serve as an inspiration for others to volunteer for HIV vaccine studies."