A Phase I Dose-Escalation Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of the EP HIV-1090 DNA Vaccine in Healthy, HIV-1-Uninfected Adult Participants

Epidemiological and animal model data support the hypothesis that HIV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses contribute to control and clearance of the virus. Vaccines designed specifically to induce CTL responses are likely to be well suited for protection against HIV infection and disease progression. EP HIV-1090 is a DNA vaccine composed of 21 highly specific CTL epitopes. The vaccine is designed to optimize the immune response in people expressing one of three HLA Class I antigen subtypes: HLA-A2, -A3, and -B7. This design is predicted to induce an immune response in 85% of individuals in the general population. There is also a helper T lymphocyte (HTL) facilitating epitope (PADRE) in the vaccine. The vaccine is formulated with a water soluble polymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone) that protects the DNA and facilitates cellular uptake. This study will assess the safety of and immune response to different doses of EP HIV-1090 in healthy, HIV uninfected adults.

Participants in this study will be randomized to receive either one of three different doses of vaccine or placebo. Participants will receive vaccinations or placebo at study entry and Months 1, 3, and 6. Both vaccinations and placebo are administered by intramuscular injection. Participants will be followed for 18 months and will have 12 study visits. Each study visit will include a physical exam, medical history, and blood and urine tests. Each participant will have four HIV tests during the study. Women will have at least five pregnancy tests during the study.