Vaccine formulations of synthetic peptides adsorbed to alum may not provide other requisite characteristics of an effective HIV vaccine, such as induction of mucosal immunity, production of cytotoxic T cells, and ease of administration. An oral microparticulate vaccine containing a prototype synthetic peptide has been developed. The microparticles can be degraded over time, inducing both secretory and systemic immune responses.~Twelve volunteers per dose regimen will receive oral microparticulate multivalent HIV-1 peptide vaccine at months 0, 1, and 6, either daily as a low dose for 3 days or a single higher dose. Additionally, four volunteers per regimen will receive placebo. Volunteers are followed for 1 year. They will be contacted once or twice yearly for 5 years to check on health status.
To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a new microparticulate formulation of an HIV-1 MN PND peptide for oral administration in healthy, HIV-1 seronegative adult volunteers at low risk for infection.~Vaccine formulations of synthetic peptides adsorbed to alum may not provide other requisite characteristics of an effective HIV vaccine, such as induction of mucosal immunity, production of cytotoxic T cells, and ease of administration. An oral microparticulate vaccine containing a prototype synthetic peptide has been developed. The microparticles can be degraded over time, inducing both secretory and systemic immune responses.