A Phase I Multicenter Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of HIV-1 Recombinant Envelope Glycoprotein gp160

To evaluate the safety and immune response to 640 and 1280 mcg HIV-1 recombinant envelope glycoprotein gp160. To evaluate the duration of antibody response and its relationship to dose and frequency of inoculation. Evaluation of previous patients who received doses of 40 or 80 mcg gp160 vaccine indicates that, although serum anti-gp160 antibody responses were detected, the level and duration of those responses were limited. A preliminary observation suggests that weak functional antibody responses may develop following the 18 month booster of 40 or 80 mcg; therefore, a dose of gp160 vaccine having potentially greater immunogenicity is of particular interest. Evaluation of previous patients who received doses of 40 or 80 mcg gp160 vaccine indicates that, although serum anti-gp160 antibody responses were detected, the level and duration of those responses were limited. A preliminary observation suggests that weak functional antibody responses may develop following the 18 month booster of 40 or 80 mcg; therefore, a dose of gp160 vaccine having potentially greater immunogenicity is of particular interest. In the initial phase of the study, 20 healthy volunteers receive 640 mcg gp160 vaccine and 5 healthy volunteers receive alum placebo. At least 30 days later, 20 additional volunteers receive 1280 mcg gp160 vaccine and 5 volunteers receive placebo. Injections are given on days 0, 30, 180, and 365.