POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Research News & Studies => Topic started by: loneranger on October 01, 2010, 10:35:41 am
-
Hi all
Came across this on the web this afternoon. Interesting news!
http://www.euroinvestor.co.uk/news/story.aspx?id=11320744&bw=20100930006693
VIRxSYS Corporation Demonstrates “Functional Cure” and Survival Benefit for the simian model of HIV in Preclinical Vaccine Study
VIRxSYS Corporation, a privately held company developing vaccines
and RNA therapies for serious human diseases,today presented
results from a study of VRX1116, a simian analog for an investigational,
lentiviral-based vaccine for HIV VRX1273, at the AIDS Vaccine 2010
conference in Atlanta, GA. In this prophylactic non human primate study,
two out of five monkeys immunized with the vaccine were able to
“functionally cure,” or fully control and suppress viral replication
over time after challenge with a highly pathogenic simian
immunodeficiency virus (SIV), and have shown stable or increased CD4
counts compared to pre-challenge baselines Additionally, the death of
several monkeys in the control, unvaccinated group showed that
VRX1116-based vaccination was capable of conferring a survival benefit
following SIV infection. The vaccine was safely and repeatedly
administered and proved to be highly immunogenic with sustained immune
responses. Virological and immunological benefits, including control of
viral load and preservation of the CD4 compartment, were sustained for
as long as one year post-challenge.
"We and HIV key opinion leaders are very optimistic about these
long-term results showing viral suppression, protection of the immune
system and survival in this prophylactic study.” said Gary J. McGarrity,
PhD, Executive Vice President of Scientific and Clinical Affairs at
VIRxSYS Corporation. “In addition, the full control of SIV replication
following infection of two of our monkeys is a significant milestone in
our research to develop effective therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines
for HIV.”
VIRxSYS’ investigational VRX1273 vaccine is part of the company’s work
to create a therapeutic HIV vaccine to potentially lower HIV
transmission rates and improve the lives of millions of individuals
infected with HIV worldwide who – if they have access at all – must rely
on expensive drugs associated with serious side effects to help control
their infection. VIRxSYS is the only biotechnology company using
lentiviral vectors to develop a therapeutic HIV vaccine.
AIDS Vaccine 2010 is being held September 28 - October 1, 2010 at the
Omni Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The VRX1116 data was presented as
“Highly immunogenic lentiviral vaccine provides control of viral load,
preservation of the CD4 compartment, and survival advantage post-SIV
challenge.”
About VIRxSYS
Founded in 1998, VIRxSYS is a private biotechnology company
that develops therapies for the treatment of serious
human diseases utilizing its proprietary lentiviral vector and RNA
reprogramming platforms. The Company exclusively licensed its patented
lentiviral technology from The Johns Hopkins University and acquired its
SMaRT™ RNA reprogramming technology from Intronn Inc. More information
regarding VIRxSYS can be found at www.virxsys.com.
About VIRxSYS’ HIV Vaccine Program
VIRxSYS’ lentiviral vector vaccine program is testing investigational
HIV vaccine candidates for therapeutic and/or prophylactic use. The
company’s vaccine candidates against HIV are currently being evaluated
in preclinical studies in non-human primates.
Corinth Group Communications
Russell LaMontagne, 917-744-7957
-
I just saw this story on the new side-bar, widget thingy. If this has been done in monkeys, is it far-fetched that this could be achieved in humans? With the advances in science, should we know within the decade whether we can achieve a cure or functional cure, or whether it just isn't possible?