HVTN 702

HVTN 702 is a clinical trial that was conducted to test the efficacy of a HIV vaccine in South Africa. The trial was initiated by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), which is the world's largest publicly funded multi-disciplinary international collaboration facilitating the development of vaccines to prevent HIV/AIDS.

Background

The HVTN 702 trial was based on the RV144 clinical trial, which was the first study to show that a safe and effective HIV vaccine is possible. The RV144 trial, conducted in Thailand, showed a modest reduction in HIV infection rates. The HVTN 702 trial aimed to build on these results by testing a similar vaccine that was adapted to the HIV subtype C, which is the most common subtype in South Africa.

Trial Design

The HVTN 702 trial was a randomized controlled trial that enrolled 5407 HIV-negative volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the vaccine or a placebo. The vaccine regimen consisted of two experimental vaccines: a canarypox-based vaccine called ALVAC-HIV and a two-component gp120 protein subunit vaccine. Both vaccines were modified from the versions used in the RV144 trial to be specific for HIV subtype C.

Results

The HVTN 702 trial was stopped early in February 2020 after an interim analysis showed that the vaccine did not prevent HIV infection. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) found that the vaccine was safe, but it was not effective in preventing HIV infection or reducing the viral load in participants who acquired HIV.

Implications

The results of the HVTN 702 trial highlight the challenges in developing an effective HIV vaccine. Despite the disappointing results, the trial provided valuable information that will guide future HIV vaccine research. The HVTN continues to conduct other clinical trials to test new HIV vaccine strategies.

See Also

• HIV Vaccine Trials Network
• RV144
• Clinical trial
• HIV/AIDS
• Randomized controlled trial
• Placebo
• Data and Safety Monitoring Board