Experimental AIDS vaccine seen helping some.

2003 MAR 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A highly anticipated experimental AIDS vaccine failed to protect most people from the disease in its first major trial, although it did show promise in protecting blacks and Asians, its developer says.

The overall expected rate of infection was not reduced in the high-risk people who volunteered to take the vaccine, VaxGen, Inc. said. However, the expected infection rate for the 314 black volunteers who received the vaccine was reduced by 78% - a finding the researchers said was unexpected. The rate was reduced by 67% for all nonwhite volunteers other than Hispanics.

"This is the first time we have specific numbers to suggest that a vaccine has prevented HIV infection in humans," VaxGen Vice President Phillip Berman said in a prepared statement. "We're not sure yet why certain groups have a better immune response."

The Brisbane, California-based company said it planned to continue developing the vaccine and will examine more closely why it worked better in blacks and Asians than it did in whites and Hispanics.

Experts believe a vaccine is the most promising way to stop the worldwide AIDS epidemic, which has already killed 20 million people and infected 40 million more. Several other vaccines are in development.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told VaxGen it would consider approving its AIDSVAX vaccine even if it was only 30% effective - reflecting the urgency of finding ...