A Phase I, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled HIV-1 Vaccine Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of Low Dose MN rsgp120/HIV-1 (Genentech) in Combination With QS21 Adjuvant or Alum in Healthy Adults

Inclusion Criteria Patients must have or be: Healthy. Negative ELISA for HIV. Negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen. Normal urine dipstick. Normal history and physical examination. Availability for 18 months of follow-up. Risk Behavior: Required: Lower-risk sexual behavior as defined by AVEG. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with any of the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: Medical or psychiatric condition or occupational responsibilities, which preclude subject compliance with the protocol (e.g., recent suicidal ideation or present psychosis). Active syphilis. NOTE: If the serology is documented to be false positive due to a remote (> 6 months) treated infection, the volunteer is eligible). Active tuberculosis. NOTE: Volunteers with a positive PPD and a normal chest X-ray showing no evidence of TB and not requiring INH therapy are eligible. Patients with any of the following prior conditions are excluded: History of immunodeficiency, chronic illness, malignancy, autoimmune disease. History of cancer unless there has been surgical excision followed by a sufficient observation period to give a reasonable assurance of cure. History of anaphylaxis or history of other serious adverse reactions to vaccines. History of serious allergic reaction to any substance, requiring hospitalization or emergent medical care. History of suicide attempts or past psychosis. History of reaction to thimerosal. Prior Medication: Excluded: History of use of immunosuppressive medication. Live attenuated vaccines within 60 days of study. NOTE: Medically indicated subunit or killed vaccines (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal) are not exclusionary, but should be given at least 2 weeks away from HIV immunizations. Use of experimental agents within 30 days prior to study. Prior receipt of HIV-1 vaccines or placebo recipient in previous HIV vaccine trial. Prior Treatment: Excluded: Receipt of blood products or immunoglobulin in the past 6 months. Risk Behavior: Excluded: Subjects with identifiable higher-risk behavior for HIV infection as determined by screening questionnaire designed to identify risk factors for HIV infection. History of injection drug use within the last 12 months prior to enrollment. Higher- or intermediate-risk sexual behavior as defined by AVEG.