AIDS Vaccine Week articles from December 2003

AIDS Vaccine Week archives from December 2003

Human genes involved in HIV life cycle have high alternate splicing rates.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Human genes involved in the HIV life cycle have high alternate splicing rates. "Alternative splicing may generate splice forms with different biologic roles or missing protein domains implicated in...

HIV Nef signaling - but not trafficking - underlies impaired T-cell development.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- HIV Nef signaling - but not trafficking - underlies Nef-induced inhibition of T-cell development "The HIV-1 gene nef is important for progression toward AIDS and cellular depletion of the infected...

Preclinical development program initiated for new HIV vaccine candidate.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The Immune Response Corporation (IMNR) has initiated a preclinical development program with IR103, a new vaccine candidate for the prevention and treatment of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The...

IL-7 safely stimulates T-cell renewal in SIV-infected macaques.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Interleukin (IL)-7 safely stimulates T-cell renewal in macaques infected with the simian version of HIV (SIV). "The main failure of antiretroviral therapy is the lack of restoration of HIV-specific...

HIV Nef's ability to downregulate MHC-I molecules key to viral immune escape.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- HIV Nef's ability to downregulate MHC-I molecules plays a key role in viral immune escape. "Nef is an HIV-1 protein that is absent in most retroviruses, yet its reading frame is highly maintained...

Attenuated FIV vaccine protects against systemic or mucosal challenge.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- An attenuated FIV vaccine provided protection from an intraclade challenge administered systemically or mucosally. "Feline immunodeficiency virus (FM) infection of domestic cats represents a...

Biopharma company announces third quarter 2003 financial results.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- GenVec, Inc., (GNVC), a biopharmaceutical company, announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003. GenVec reported higher revenues and a lower net loss through the first...

Novel molecular HIV test has single-copy sensitivity for viral RNA.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel molecular HIV test has single-copy sensitivity for viral RNA. According to published research from the United States, "More sensitive assays for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)...

HIV Tat interacts with distinct proteasomal alpha and beta subunits.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- HIV Tat interacts with distinct cellular proteasome alpha and beta subunits. "The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) Tat protein was previously reported to compete the association of PA28...

Alpha1-antitrypsin gene mutations may raise HIV infection risk.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Polymorphisms in the AAT gene may heighten carriers' susceptibility to HIV infection. In a recent study, scientists in Australia "sought to determine whether variants of the human alpha1-antitrypsin...

HAART effective for pediatric HIV patients.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is effective for pediatric HIV patients. According to published research from Spain, "An observational study was performed involving 95 children with...

Long-term HAART does not lead to full T-cell recovery.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Long-term HAART regimens do not induce full T-cell recovery in HIV patients. "In most HIV-1-infected patients, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reduces plasma viral load to To...

Patent expands adeno-associated virus manufacturing processes and technology.
December 1, 2003... 2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Targeted Genetics Corporation (TGEN) announced the issuance of an additional patent related to its adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector production technology. U.S. patent #9,180,114, titled...

Small interfering RNAs can silence env in HIV-infected cells.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- RNA interference (RNAi) can be used to silence expression of the HIV env gene by infected cells. According to scientists in Japan, RNAi "is triggered by the presence of a double-stranded RNA...

Microarray profiling of antibody responses against SHIV developed.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Scientists have developed a method of microarray profiling of antibody responses against simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). According to a study from the United States, "We developed...

AIDS vaccine trials begin in South Africa, Switzerland.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) has begun human trials in South Africa and Switzerland to test HIVA.MVA, a candidate vaccine to prevent people uninfected with HIV/AIDS from contracting...

Safer smallpox vaccination regimen modeled for HIV-1-infected patients.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Scientists have modeled a safer smallpox vaccination regimen, for human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients, in immunocompromised macaques. According to a study from an international...

Fewer AIDS babies born in U.S. but worldwide transmissions remain epidemic.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The World Health Organization estimates that about 800,000 infants become infected with HIV each year around the globe, mainly through mother-to-child transmission, which can occur during pregnancy and...

Study: About 4.5 million Indians have HIV.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The virus that causes AIDS is being spread through India's general population mainly by married men who have unprotected sex with prostitutes, according to a new study. About 610,000 Indians...

Experimental AIDS vaccine didn't stop HIV.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- An experimental AIDS vaccine tested in Thailand on some 2500 drug users failed to protect them from becoming infected with HIV, the vaccine's developer says. The poor results were widely expected...

Benzothiazolesulfonamides with potent activity against HIV protease synthesized.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Benzothiazolesulfonamides with potent activity against a key HIV enyzme have been synthesized. According to published research from Missouri, "The HIV virus encodes for a unique aspartyl protease...

Improved stavudine derivatives developed.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Enhanced derivatives of the HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor stavudine have been developed. In a recent study from Japan, "Compounds having methyl, vinyl, and ethynyl groups at the 4'-position...

AIDS vaccine developer reports increased cash due to financing.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Epimmune, Inc., (EPMN) announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003. During the quarter, cash and cash equivalents increased by $2.2 million to an ending balance...

ESTRASORB maker announces increased third quarter revenue.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Novavax, Inc., (NVAX) announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003. Total revenues for the third quarter of 2003 were $4.3 million compared to third-quarter 2002...

Cyclophilin A needed for functional expression of HIV Vpr.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cyclophilin A is needed for the functional expression of HIV viral protein R (Vpr) by infected cells. According to recent research from Germany, HIV Vpr "is the major virion-associated accessory...

Solution structure of mature HIV protease monomer characterized.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The structure of mature HIV protease monomer in solution has been characterized. In a recent study, scientists in the United States achieved "the first solution structure of the HIV-1 protease...

Human Nup98 aids HIV Rev-mediated RNA export.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- HIV RNA export mediated by the viral Rev protein is aided and abetted by a human nucleoporin during infection. According to recent research from the United States, HIV-1 Rev-mediated "nuclear...

Early SHIV control in monkeys causes long-lasting asymptomatic outcomes.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Early control of highly pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) chimeric virus infections in rhesus monkeys usually results in long-lasting asymptomatic clinical...

HLA markers linked to rapid AIDS progression may also raise CMV retinitis risk.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers linked to rapid AIDS progression may also predispose carriers to CMV-induced retinitis. In a recent study from Brazil, "The frequency of HLA markers associated...

HIV TAT-SpA fusion protein could be useful for cellular antibody delivery.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel construct consisting of HIV and staphylococcal proteins shows promise for cellular delivery of therapeutic antibodies. According to scientists in Japan, "Internalization of antibodies into...

Danish BCG vaccine-induced disease found in HIV-infected children.
December 8, 2003... 2003 DEC 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Danish bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine-induced disease was found in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children. According to a study from South Africa, "An analysis of isolates of...

Five-year, $1.5 million grant to fight spread of HIV/AIDS and TB in Africa.
December 15, 2003... 2003 DEC 15 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- At a time when HIV/AIDS in the developing world has reached epidemic stages, a team of international researchers, led by Ford von Reyn, MD, professor of medicine, Dartmouth Medical School (DMS) and...

SIV Gag DNA vaccines exhibit enhanced immunogenicity.
December 15, 2003... 2003 DEC 15 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- SIV Gag DNA vaccines encoding chimeric proteins containing a C-terminal segment of Listeriolysin O exhibit enhanced immunogenicity. "We investigated the potential of the C-terminal 59-amino acid...

HIV infection inhibited by cyclophilin from Toxoplasma gondii.
December 15, 2003... 2003 DEC 15 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A CCR5-binding cyclophilin from Toxoplasma gondii inhibited HIV-1 infection. "The activation of murine dendritic cells by Toxoplasma gondii has recently been shown to depend on a parasite protein...

U.N.: Global AIDS epidemic rampant.
December 15, 2003... 2003 DEC 15 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues its devastating march across the globe, with more deaths and infections this year than ever before, according to a U.N. report. The report by UNAIDS, the U.N....

Pros and cons of HIV testing in less developed countries discussed.
December 15, 2003... 2003 DEC 15 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Two contrasting reports debate the value of HIV disease testing and counseling as part of the global strategy to reduce deaths from HIV/AIDS in Africa over the next few years. Kevin De Cock and...

T-cell response against hepatitis C virus optimized.
December 15, 2003... 2003 DEC 15 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- T-cell responses against hepatitis C virus E2 optimized by antigen engineering in DNA immunization. "Although DNA immunization is a safe and efficient method for inducing cellular immune...

GX-12 HIV therapeutic vaccine appears safe.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The GX-12 HIV therapeutic vaccine is unlikely to integrate into the host genome. According to a study from South Korea, "AIDS is one of the greatest infectious disease threats to human health...

Public health considerations for use of HIV vaccine outlined.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers outline the public health considerations for use of a first-generation HIV vaccine in a recent issue of the journal AIDS. According to a study from an international group of...

CD4-induced monoclonal antibody strongly neutralizes HIV.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel CD4-induced monoclonal antibody has demonstrated potent HIV-neutralizing activity. "Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) enters target cells by binding its gp120 exterior envelope...

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus-infected goats generate anti-HIV gp120 antibodies.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- CAEV-infected goats produce antibodies reactive against the HIV coat protein gp120. "Lentiviruses display surprisingly disparate clinical manifestations in their specific hosts, share complex...

Global AIDS fund grants US$6.39 million for Zambia.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has signed a US$6.39 million grant to Zambia on behalf of the global AIDS fund to help this impoverished southern African country fight the...

$30M in new grants offered for African HIV/AIDS crisis.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) announced the next phase of Secure The Future with the allocation of six new program grants totaling $30 million. These grants are part of the ongoing $115...

Gel received FDA fast-track designation for reduction of HIV transmission.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Biosyn, Inc., a pharmaceutical company focusing on infectious disease and reproductive health, has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for the...

Startling numbers of HIV-resistant subjects found in new South African trial.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A trial on South African miners at high risk for contracting HIV has been conducted by the South African Medical Research Institute to compare a new early diagnosis method called PlasmAcute with...

Eighty-three new medicines in development for HIV/AIDS.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The pharmaceutical research industry is continuing its effort to develop more effective ways to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, with 83 new medicines in development, a new survey by the Pharmaceutical...

HIV gp20 V3 loop has recurring conformation in antibody complexes.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The V3 loop of the HIV coat protein gp20 has a similar conformation in complex with a number of distinct neutralizing antibodies. In a recent study from California, "The crystal structure of the...

New Jersey Medicaid to cover HIV drug resistance tests.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Biotechnology company ViroLogic, Inc. (NASDAQ:VLGC) has announced that the New Jersey Medicaid Program has initiated a benefit coverage policy for phenotypic and genotypic HIV drug resistance testing,...

Romanian agency approves new drug for treating depression in children with HIV.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cortisol Research International-Romania has announced that the National Medicines Agency of Romania approved the use of its drug, VIRUCORT 50 in the treatment of depression in HIV-positive children....

NewsRx expands to 100 titles in Health Law and Business.
December 22, 2003... 2003 DEC 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- NewsRx, publisher of professional health and medical newsletters and databases for 20 years, has moved into law and business publishing with the addition of 56 new titles for 2004. C.W. Henderson,...

Pharmaceutical company and IBM collaborate to find cure for AIDS.
December 29, 2003... 2003 DEC 29 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Locus Pharmaceuticals, a computational-based small molecule drug design and development company, announced a strategic collaboration with IBM's Deep Computing Capacity on Demand center to deploy...

Company launches primate studies in validation of viral immunotherapy platform.
December 29, 2003... 2003 DEC 29 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Lipid Sciences, Inc., (LIPD) announced that with the recent completion of successful studies in a mouse animal model, it has achieved an important development milestone. Therefore, the company has...

Genetronics expands agreement on technology for HIV vaccine delivery.
December 29, 2003... 2003 DEC 29 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Genetronics Biomedical Corp. (GEB) has extended a collaborative agreement with Chiron Corp. to conduct additional experiments using electroporation, Genetronics' proprietary technology, to test an HIV...

Novel HIV gp120-binding RNA aptAm has potent neutralizing activity.
December 29, 2003... 2003 DEC 29 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel RNA aptAm which binds to the HIV coat protein gp120 has demonstrated potent neutralizing activity against the virus. "Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has evolved a number of...

Bill Gates foundation to give $25 million to southern Indian state.
December 29, 2003... 2003 DEC 29 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will give $25 million to a southern Indian state for AIDS prevention programs, state officials announced. The money will come from a $200 million grant pledged...

Companies announce plans to fund HIV prevention and treatment programs in Africa.
December 29, 2003... 2003 DEC 29 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Nine major international companies have initiated an effort to expand treatment and prevention programs for Africans with HIV, starting in some cases with their own employees. The companies will...

Pharmaceutical firm commits to funding pediatric HIV/AIDS center in Africa.
December 29, 2003... 2003 DEC 29 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) chairman and CEO Peter R. Dolan committed to fund a second center to care for children with HIV/AIDS in Africa. He joined Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G....