Can HIV Infection be Prevented with a Vaccine?

Abstract

The global human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic is devastating many communities and a well tolerated and effective vaccine is urgently required. Several lines of evidence suggest that vaccine-induced protective immunity can be achieved. This evidence includes individuals shown to have natural immunity, and the partially effective immune responses that are generated during natural infection. However, the obstacles to HIV-1 vaccine development are enormous. The only substantially effective vaccine studied in pathogenic animalmodels (live, attenuated vaccines) is at present far too unsafe. The only HIV-1 vaccine to proceed to efficacy trials (an envelope protein approach) has be..