DNA and protein HIV vaccines: how should we mix it?

The development of an effective HIV vaccine is crucial for controlling the HIV epidemic. UNAIDS estimated that there were 1·5 million new HIV infections and 650 000 deaths in 2021. 1 UNAIDSUNAIDS. Fact sheet—global HIV statistics. https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/UNAIDS_FactSheet_en.pdfDate: Aug 31, 2023 Date accessed: April 9, 2024 Google Scholar Despite decades of vaccine research and ten phase 2b/3 clinical trials testing various vaccine concepts, a protective vaccine is still needed. 2 Nkolola JP Barouch DH Prophylactic HIV-1 vaccine trials: past, present, and future. Lancet HIV. 2024; 11: e117-e124 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar Therefore, a return to fundamental research and testing of new concepts is necessary. This task is considerable given the number of immunogens, emerging vaccine platforms, and combinations that could be tested. Current prophylactic HIV-1 vaccine development is based on improving prime–boost regimens, combining DNA or viral vectors with proteins to induce protective antibody and T-cell responses. However, an obstacle in the development of an effective vaccine is the absence of correlates of protection. 3 Tomaras GD Plotkin SA Complex immune correlates of protection in HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials. Immunol Rev. 2017; 275: 245-261 Crossref PubMed Scopus (86) Google Scholar Safety and immunogenicity of a polyvalent DNA–protein HIV vaccine with matched Env immunogens delivered as a prime–boost regimen or coadministered in HIV-uninfected adults in the USA (HVTN 124): a phase 1, placebo-controlled, double-blind randomised controlled trialBoth vaccine regimens were safe, warranting evaluation in larger trials. Full-Text PDF