Department of Retrovirology: Research Projects

1. Phase I/II Clinical Trials of Preventive HIV Vaccines
1995-2001
Description: Phase I/II trials were carried out among more than 600 HIV-negative adult volunteers within the Thai AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Group (TAVEG). Initially gp120 vaccines (B and E) from Chiron Vaccines were carried out alone. Then the strategy evolved to the assessment of “prime-boost” HIV vaccine combinations. The “priming” vaccine was ALVAC-HIV (vCP1521), while the “boosting” vaccine was one of three gp120/gp160 antigens. Vaccines utilized were derived from the envelope protein of subtype E viruses. Based on these trials, one “prime-boost” vaccine combination is being advanced to evaluation in a phase III trial.
Status: Completed
Collaborators: Royal Thai Army Medical Department, Chiang Mai University, Mahidol University, WRAIR, Jackson Foundation, Chiron Vaccines, Aventis Pasteur, VaxGen
Links: U.S. Military HIV Research Program (www.hivresearch.org); Henry M. Jackson Foundation (www.hjf.org); Royal Thai Army Medical Department (www.amed.go.th); Thai Ministry of Public Health (eng.moph.go.th); UNAIDS (www.unaids.org).

2. HIV Genetic Studies
1999-2002
Description: Viral genetic studies showed that many circulating HIV viruses in the vaccine trial area of Thailand are recombinant viruses of subtypes B and E. The distributions of HIV viral loads among both male and female adult Thais with HIV infections were documented and published. Analysis of the natural history of HIV in former Thai soldiers was completed and presented (5-year survival was 80%), providing the crucial long-term data on Thai E HIV infections against which phase III trial results can be compared.
Status: Completed, providing foundations for continued monitoring of viral evolution
Collaborators: WRAIR, Royal Thai Army Medical Dept, Jackson Foundation, Chiang Mai University, Johns Hopkins University
Links: Royal Thai Army Medical Department, Chiang Mai University, Mahidol University, WRAIR, Jackson Foundation, Chiron Vaccines, Aventis Pasteur, VaxGen
Links: U.S. Military HIV Research Program (www.hivresearch.org); Henry M. Jackson Foundation (www.hjf.org); Royal Thai Army Medical Department (www.amed.go.th); National HIV Repository and Bioinformatic Center (Thailand) (www.nhrbc.org).

3. HIV Vaccine Clinical Trails Phase III
2000-ongoing
Description: A new collaboration was established with the Ministry of Public Health to jointly carry out a phase III HIV vaccine trial in communities within two Thai provinces. The protocols for this trial are under review and the trial is expected to start in early 2003. This trial will assess the “prime-boost” strategy using ALVAC-HIV (vCP1521) and AIDSVAX B/E in 16,000 young Thai adults who are HIV negative. Immunization will take place over a 6-month period, followed by a 3-year follow-up period. Overall results are due in 2007-8.
Status: Preparatory phase
Collaborators: Thai Ministry of Public Health, Mahidol University, Royal Thai Army Medical Department, WRAIR, Jackson Foundation, Aventis Pasteur, VaxGen, EMMES Corp
Links: Royal Thai Army Medical Department, Chiang Mai University, Mahidol University, WRAIR, Jackson Foundation, Chiron Vaccines, Aventis Pasteur, VaxGen
Links: U.S. Military HIV Research Program (www.hivresearch.org); Henry M. Jackson Foundation (www.hjf.org); Royal Thai Army Medical Department (www.amed.go.th); Thai Ministry of Public Health (eng.moph.go.th); UNAIDS (www.unaids.org).

4. HIV-Scrub Typhus Interactive Study
2000-2
Description: To determine the mechanism of the HIV-suppressive effect of acute scrub typhus infection, a double-blind protocol was designed to administer purified scrub typhus Ig to volunteers with HIV disease, assessing the safety and impact on HIV viral load and other clinical parameters.
Status: Purified scrub typhus Ig was administered to 40 late-stage HIV-infected recipients without incident. All recipients completed the scheduled 3-month follow-up period after infusion. Results of the infusions on HIV viral load and other clinical and laboratory parameters are currently being analyzed.
Collaborators: Dr. Pacharee Kantipong, Chief, Department of Internal Medicine, Chiangrai Regional Hospital, Chiangrai, Thailand. Thierry Burnouf PhD, Human Plasma Product Services, Lille, France.
Recent publications related to this project:
1. Watt G, Kantopong P, DeSouza M et al. HIV-1 suppression during acute scrub-typhus infection. Lancet 2000; 356:475-9.
2. Watt G, Kantipong P, Jongsakul K et al. Passive transfer of scrub typhus plasma to patients with AIDS: a descriptive clinical study. Q J Med 2001: 94:599-607.

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