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New hope for Aids vaccine (Breaking on Drudge as AIDS Vax in 5 years)
BBC ^ | 6/8/02 | BBC Health

Posted on 07/08/2002 8:39:39 AM PDT by I_Love_My_Husband

Monday, 8 July, 2002, 15:17 GMT 16:17 UK New hope for Aids vaccine

Most of the world cannot afford Aids treatments

A US biotechnology company has been giving details of a vaccine against Aids, which it hopes could be available by 2005, to delegates attending the International Aids Conference in Barcelona.

I think we will get protection [from the virus], but I don't know what level we'll get

Donald Francis, VaxGen The head of VaxGen, Donald Francis, said the vaccine worked on chimpanzees and he was optimistic about the results of trials on humans, due to be published next year.

VaxGen's vaccine will be part of the biggest-ever HIV vaccine trial due to begin later this year in Thailand with the involvement of 16,000 people.

Reports of scientific progress were accompanied by warnings that rich nations needed to spend more to help bring the epidemic under control.

Malaysian activist Irene Fernandez told the conference that North American and European countries were not meeting their targets for foreign aid set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

If they did, she said, there would be enough money to fund Aids-prevention programmes.

The six-day conference is organised by the United Nations agency UNAids and is being attended by 15,000 delegates.

: Aids pandemic

Click to see Aids statistics around the world

Licence conditions

In the Thai trial, VaxGen's product will be tested in combination with another vaccine, designed to produce a different type of immune response. Scientists hope this will result in a higher level of protection than either vaccine would induce on its own.

Potential vaccine Prevents infection by stimulating the production of antibodies Being tested on high risk groups If all goes to plan, could be licensed within five years Q&A: Aids vaccine

But VaxGen is optimistic that its product will also work as a sole vaccine.

"I think we will get protection [from the virus], but I don't know what level we'll get," Mr Francis said.

"If all goes well, [the vaccine] could be available by the end of 2004 or early 2005."

Campaigners have given a cautious welcome to VaxGen's announcement, but say it is necessary to wait for the analysis of clinical trials.

BBC health correspondent Chris Hogg says that 21 years after the fight against Aids began, only eight vaccines are currently being tested on humans to any significant degree.

Most of these are still in the early stages. VaxGen is the only company testing its products on humans in an end-stage trial.

To be granted a licence, however, it will have to show the vaccine is effective in at least one-third of patients.

Immunisation hopes

Jose Esparza, co-ordinator of the UNAids HIV vaccine initiative in Geneva, said VaxGen's announcement was "premature", although he praised the company's commitment to developing a vaccine.

We would hope to use it as part of immunisation for every child so we can put an end to this terrible disease

Dr Seth Berkley, IAVI "If the vaccine is effective then we will have a cause for celebration, but even then it will not be the end of the epidemic," he said.

The umbrella body promoting research, the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), warned that preparations needed to begin now for the distribution of a successful vaccine to the countries most in need.

Most importantly, it eould have to be made affordable.

IAVI president Dr Seth Berkley told the BBC that vaccination would initially be targeted at high-risk groups such as intravenous drug users and commercial sex workers.

But he said it was hoped one day that a vaccine would be available for everyone.

"We would hope to use it as part of immunisation for every child so we can put an end to this terrible disease."

Blocking out HIV

The conference also heard about a drug which tests have shown cuts the levels of HIV in patients by stopping it entering blood cells.

The injectable T-20 drug, made by Roche Holding AG of Switzerland and US biotech firm Trimeris Inc is due to go on to the market early next year.

It is said to offer hope to patients with serious drug resistance problems.

Existing treatments attack HIV only after it has entered cells.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_2115000/2115732.stm

Monday, 8 July, 2002, 11:21 GMT 12:21 UK Q&A: Aids vaccine

A vaccine to protect against Aids could be available in as little as five years, a company has said.

What is the significance of this announcement?

American company Vaxgen has announced a vaccine against Aids could be available within five years, rather than 10 as was previously thought.

It is the only one in Phase III tests in humans, where scientists are only looking to see if the vaccine prevents HIV infection.

Another vaccine is in Phase II trials, which look at dosage and immune response, and about six are in Phase I safety trials.

How do Aids vaccines work?

These HIV vaccines prevent infection by stimulating the production of antibodies.

Aids vaccines tend to use specific parts of HIV, such as genes or proteins to activate the body's immune defences.

Once the body recognises these, the hope is that it can mount a vigorous defence when it encounters the real virus.

To combat HIV effectively, scientists will have to follow the model of the flu virus and constantly change the vaccine to try to keep up with the latest mutations of the virus.

Why has it taken so long for scientists to reach this stage?

It is 21 years since scientists began the battle against Aids, but it is an extremely complicated condition.

There are different strains of HIV, and the virus constantly mutates, meaning scientists have found it very difficult understand how it works.

We are seeing developments in treatments and vaccines now because experts understand much more about the virus.

This is partly because they have been able to monitor people living with HIV and see how they respond to antiretroviral medications.

Who is it being tested on?

The vaccine is being tested on high risk groups. In North America and Europe, it is being tested on gay men, and in South East Asia, it is being tested on drug users.

How soon could people be given this vaccine?

If results due out in the early part of 2003 show the vaccine is 30% effective, it could be licensed within five years.

Before now, it was thought it would be at least 10 years.

But Martin Kirk of the Terrence Higgins Trust said people should be cautious: "All that Vaxgen is saying is if their results are good, there might be a vaccine within five years."

Who will be given it?

Seth Berkley, president of the International Aids Vaccine Initiative, told the BBC that once the vaccine was available, it would be directed first of all at high risk groups, such as commercial sex workers and intravenous drug users.

But he said once it had been proved to be safe and effective it could be made part of the immunisation programme. "We would hope to protect every child form this disease."

So will everyone who needs it be able to have the vaccine?

There are both scientific and practical problems in ensuring everyone has access to a vaccine.

Different stains of HIV tend to be prevalent in different areas.

As the Vaxgen vaccine is being tested in Europe, Asia and America, so scientists do not yet know if it will be of any help to people in sub-Saharan Africa, currently hardest hit by the Aids epidemic, where a different strain predominates.

Campaigners are also calling for governments to ensure the infrastructure is in place so that once a vaccine is developed it can be manufactured and distributed rapidly, and at a cost which developing countries can afford.


TOPICS: Announcements; Breaking News; Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: aids; homosexualagenda
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1 posted on 07/08/2002 8:39:39 AM PDT by I_Love_My_Husband
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To: grlfrnd
Sorry for the doublepost ... I was hyperlinking a copy for the Blood Trail while you were posting this.
2 posted on 07/08/2002 8:53:16 AM PDT by Askel5
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To: Askel5
Yours is cooler!
3 posted on 07/08/2002 8:54:17 AM PDT by I_Love_My_Husband
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To: grlfrnd
They can "expect" all they want. If wishes were horses the poor would eat horsemeat. (Or something like that.)
4 posted on 07/08/2002 8:57:30 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler
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To: grlfrnd
Looks like the lefties will be cheering.
The disease that is spread (overwhelmingly) by behavior has received top priority because, in a liberal's world, there can be no personal consequences for behavior.

I'm not saying that it is not good news that there is a cure for a deadly disease. Just pointing out the reasons behind the disproportionate furor over finding a cure for this one in particular.

5 posted on 07/08/2002 8:58:24 AM PDT by MrB
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To: grlfrnd
These HIV vaccines prevent infection by stimulating the production of antibodies.

Isn't the presence of antibodies their means of confirming HIV "infection"? How will they distinguish between "good" antibodies and "bad" antibodies?

BWAAAAHAHAHAHA!

6 posted on 07/08/2002 8:59:02 AM PDT by balrog666
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To: grlfrnd
When the HIV virus was first isolated way back in the early '80s, all the doctors and drug companies said "vaccine in two years, three tops." We've been hearing the same line every year since. It's always coming Real Soon Now.

This is the ultimate "believe it when you see it" story.

7 posted on 07/08/2002 9:01:01 AM PDT by Timesink
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To: grlfrnd
Most of the world cannot afford Aids treatments

Most of the world can't even afford HIV testing. Which raises the question of, "How can they say that 25 million are HIV positive in Africa?".

The answer of course is that few are actually tested in Africa. Most are diagnosed as having "AIDs" by virtue of presenting a set of symptoms that would match a multitude of tropical diseases.

8 posted on 07/08/2002 9:08:35 AM PDT by TC Rider
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To: grlfrnd
If only there was some easy way to avoid getting AIDS in the first place… but that would mean ending indiscriminate sex and sodomy and the idea of imposing our values on another culture is unacceptable…

If results due out in the early part of 2003 show the vaccine is 30% effective, it could be licensed within five years.

Well, at least this vaccine wouldn’t give people a false sense of security, thusly increasing their dangerous culturally appropriate practices.

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

9 posted on 07/08/2002 9:26:50 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel
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Comment #10 Removed by Moderator

To: grlfrnd
There's more innocent people dead from cancer and other deadly diseases. Find a cure for cancer and others before a small special interest group infection. They made their own beds by their choices. Let them wait in line.
11 posted on 07/08/2002 9:35:29 AM PDT by concerned about politics
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To: concerned about politics
AIDs was called GRID when first discovered among promiscuous gay males, but they resented the name Gay Related Immune Deficiency... It is the most easily preventable deadly disease on earth! You are right, God will NOT be mocked. HE will have HIS way in the end no matter what man does! Don't you think women would love it if all they had to do was avoid one particular action to keep from getting breast cancer????? All gays have to do is to stop having anal sodomy, totally, right now. Infected gays should stop having all sex, totally, right now. And stop using illegal IV drugs. No more promiscuous gay sex, no more dirty needles, no more AIDs. The disease would die off of a natural death in a generation or two. I believe it is one of the plagues in Revelations that falls on those who don't repent and change their ways.
12 posted on 07/08/2002 9:39:01 AM PDT by buffyt
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To: concerned about politics
I agree! Cancer victims are true victims! AIDs victims knew what they were doing, taking risks!
13 posted on 07/08/2002 9:39:56 AM PDT by buffyt
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To: buffyt
I agree with your post but just wanted to point out that even if all gays stopped having sex and all IV drug users stopped too, I think 75% of the AIDS cases worldwide are now heterosexual (and not necessarily from IV drugs). We're going to need complete monogomy in Africa and Asia too. Period.
14 posted on 07/08/2002 9:56:04 AM PDT by olivia3boys
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To: concerned about politics
There's more innocent people dead from cancer and other deadly diseases. Find a cure for cancer and others before a small special interest group infection. They made their own beds by their choices. Let them wait in line.

A "unique idea" would be to STOP SCREWING EACH OTHER. Wouldn't cost a penny!

Another bay area abomination

TownHall.com | 6/28/02 | Michelle Malkin

Posted on 6/27/02 10:11 PM Pacific by kattracks

Ah, San Francisco. You'll be tickled to learn that the town that spawned judges who think uttering "one nation, under God" in a government-run school is an unconstitutional vulgarity, from which every delicate child must be shielded, is the same town that just hatched government-sponsored ads featuring a smiling cartoon penis with syphilis sores.

I am not making this up.

The city used $50,000 in taxpayer funds to create a "whimsical" public awareness project called "Healthy Penis 2002." (Motto: "Making every penis a healthy penis.") Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, the city's director of sexually transmitted disease control, told the San Francisco Chronicle this week that the ads were "sex positive" and "fun" because that's what "the community" wanted. "What we're hearing from community and focus groups is people felt the message would resonate better if it were presented in a lighter way," Klausner explained.

In February, according to Citizens Against Government Waste, the Bay Area group also sponsored "GUYWATCH: Blow by Blow," a seminar whose advertising read, in part: "What tricks do you want to share to make your man tremble with delight?"

For more WONDERFUL information go here

15 posted on 07/08/2002 10:09:10 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: buffyt
Toned Down Campaign...

Instead, the county settled on Phil, a bumpy red creature with silver shoes and an earring. The Los Angeles County campaign includes ads in gay publications, 40,000 squeezable three-inch Phil toys and two life-size mascots of the character that will make appearances throughout Los Angeles.

16 posted on 07/08/2002 10:11:20 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: kcvl
Our tax dollars at work. (Barf!)
17 posted on 07/08/2002 10:15:13 AM PDT by I_Love_My_Husband
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To: olivia3boys
I think 75% of the AIDS cases worldwide are now heterosexual (and not necessarily from IV drugs). We're going to need complete monogomy in Africa and Asia too. Period.

Sometimes the sins of a few can infect the many who come close to it. In Africa, it's nothing for a man to grab someone off the street and "do em."
Behavior such as this is bound to have repercussions. If they play, they pay the pipper.
Get rid of the source, you can eliminate the disease.
I don't think the 99% of heterosexuals in America should be forced to fund this. Other diseases not caused by choice should come first.
Let AIDs funding be a charity by those who are truely concerned. If this were the case, people really care, the funding would be plenty.

18 posted on 07/08/2002 10:20:22 AM PDT by concerned about politics
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To: grlfrnd
The way I understand it, if this is true, then we have also cured the commond cold.
19 posted on 07/08/2002 10:22:27 AM PDT by OldDominion
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To: buffyt
AIDs victims knew what they were doing, taking risks!

About 10% of smokers get lung cancer. They know what they are doing, taking risks.

20 posted on 07/08/2002 10:22:32 AM PDT by Doctor Stochastic
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