HIV-1 subtype C vaccine: waiting in wings for the human trials

India has more than 5 million people infected with HIV-1 and this number is likely to increase in coming years. It is estimated that by the turn of this decade more than 10 million people would have been infected with this virus. More than 90% of these infections are due to subtype C. Therefore, it is imperative that a vaccine be developed based on local circulating subtype and tested for immunogenicity in mice and non-human primate models. This paper is a review of the work done on the development and immunogenicity testing of recombinant DNA (rDNA) and recombinant MVA (rMVA) vaccine candidates in animal models under a vaccine action program (Jai Vigyan Mission) of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

Keywords: HIV-1, HIV-1 subtype C, HIV vaccine, DNA vaccine, recombinant DNA, rDNA, rMVA, prime-boost regimen, preclinical immunogenicity, India, AIDS, biotechnology