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To evaluate an HIV synthetic lipopeptide candidate vaccine component, P3C541b, at two dose levels, administered subcutaneously (s.c.) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. The prospective volunteers will be screened and HLA typed for Class I MHC haplotypes. Only volunteers possessing HLA alleles A33, B8, B27, B35 or Bw62 or any combination thereof will be enrolled in the study. Subjects will be allocated to 1 of 2 study groups. Group 1 will receive 70 mcg of P3C541b or the placebo and Group II will receive 350 mcg of P3C541b or the placebo. NOTE: Enrollment for Group II wil not begin until at least 5 Group I participants have reached day 14 without serious adverse events.
Inclusion Criteria Patients must have or be: * Healthy * Negative ELISA for HIV. * One or more HLA alleles: * A33, B8, B27, B35, or Bw62. * Negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen. * Normal urine dipstick. * Normal history and physical examination. * Availability for follow-up planned duration of the study (12 months). * Viable EBV line prior to enrollment. 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. * Hepatitis B surface antigenemia. * 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 a 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. 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 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.