Study: Combined HCV, HIV Vaccine Possible

A combined vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV was found to be safe and effective in a small human trial, according to an ongoing study conducted by the European PEACHI consortium.

The results of phase 1 of the study were presented on April 13 at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) International Liver Congress 2016 in Barcelona, Spain.
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The researchers explained that HCV and HIV affect many people around the world and are common coinfections. The mortality rate among coinfected individuals is high, because treatment is not universally available and does not prevent reinfection.

To conduct phase 1 of their study, the researchers recruited 32 healthy volunteers from Europe to first receive an immune system primer and then vaccination boosters via intramuscular injection.

Volunteers were separated into 3 groups, who received vaccinations at baseline and after 2 months: group 1 received HCV investigational vaccines, group 2 received HIV investigational vaccines, and group 3 received coadministered HCV and HIV vaccines.

The researchers found that the primers induced an immune response in the body, which increased following vaccination. Volunteers who received coadministered vaccines showed similar immune responses to those who received each vaccine separately.

“Finding effective vaccinations against the world’s biggest killers is a huge and pressing problem,” said Professor Laurent Castera, EASL Secretary General. “This study shows for the first time that it is possible to generate simultaneous immune response against diseases HCV and HIV, raising the possibility of a combined vaccination.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:
Hartnell F, et al. LBP507: Co-administration of chimpanzee adenoviral vectors of different serotypes, for the prevention of HCV and HIV co-infection. Presented at: International Liver Congress; April 13-17, 2016; Barcelona, Spain. http://ilc-congress.eu/media-press/press-programme. Accessed April 13, 2016.