HIV rAd5 vaccine

The HIV rAd5 vaccine is a type of vaccine that utilizes recombinant Adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) vectors to deliver specific HIV antigens, such as Gag, Pol, Nef, and Env, into host cells. The primary mechanism of action involves stimulating the immune system to generate both humoral (antibody) and cellular (T-cell) responses against HIV-1, aiming to prevent infection. Several formulations have been developed and evaluated in clinical trials. Notably, the MRKAd5 HIV-1 gag/pol/nef vaccine, developed by Merck, was tested in the Phase 2b Step and Phambili studies, which were terminated due to futility and a concerning trend of increased HIV-1 acquisition in certain subgroups, particularly those with pre-existing Ad5 neutralizing antibodies. Another formulation, the DNA/rAd5 HIV-1 env/gag/pol vaccine, developed by the NIH Vaccine Research Center (VRC), was evaluated in the HVTN 505 trial, which was also halted due to lack of efficacy, though it did not show an increased risk of acquisition. These vaccines represent efforts to induce robust immune responses against HIV-1.

Other names

recombinant adenovirus type 5 HIV vaccinerAd5 HIV vaccinerAd-5 HIV vaccinerAd 5 HIV vaccine