Updated 09/24/2009 05:51 PM
New AIDS Vaccine Offers Encouraging Results
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AIDS researchers call it a significant development: A new AIDS vaccine tested on more than 16,000 people in Thailand protected about one-third of participants from infection.
At the University of Rochester's HIV Vaccine Trials Unit, researchers are surprised and encouraged by the results.
"We can actually learn things from vaccine trials that don't work, and if they do work a little bit there's a lot more we can learn. So I'm very excited that this is going to point us in the right direction to get there one day," said Dr. Michael Keefer, University of Rochester.
In the Thailand tests, half the volunteers were given six doses of two vaccines in 2006 and half were given placebos.
Rich Fowler was diagnosed HIV-positive in 1993. In the time since, he has seen major advances in the treatment of the disease he lives with, but not so much in AIDS and HIV vaccines – until now.
“When there's a major breakthrough of this sort, it just gives that added hope,” said Fowler, a well-known advocate for AIDS and HIV awareness in the community.
At the University of Rochester, researchers have been working for decades to find a cure.
Dr. Michael Keefer, Director of the HIV Vaccine Trials Unit at the University of Rochester, said 31 percent might not seem like much, but until now, no trials, including those conducted at the U of R, have produced anything as close.
“What we found is really just the first firm building block that we really can start on,” said Keefer. “It's great news for us.”
According to reports, scientists are still somewhat puzzled by the results. They don't know exactly why the vaccines worked as well as they did. Local researchers say it is definitely something to build on.
“It's very, very exciting. We’ll take any good news we can,” said Dr. Roberto Corales, of AIDS Community Health Center.
Advocates say the results are promising because they also bring more awareness to AIDS and HIV issues. They also bring hope to those waiting for a cure.
“It sort of makes you see a new light at the end of the tunnel,” said Fowler.
HIV Vaccine Trials Unit
There are several HIV studies underway at the University of Rochester. The studies are for both healthy people who are at very low risk of contracting HIV as well as healthy people who are at increased risk for getting HIV.
Anyone interested in taking part in a study should call 585-756-2329.