HVTN Protocol 204 - A Phase II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of a Multiclade HIV-1 DNA Plasmid Vaccine, VRC-HIVDNA016-00-VP, Followed by a Multiclade Recombinant Adenoviral Vector HIV-1 Vaccine Boost, VRCHIVADV014-00-VP, in HIV-1 Uninfected Adult Participants

The worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic may only be controlled through development of a safe and effective vaccine that will prevent HIV infection. DNA vaccines are inexpensive to construct, readily produced in large quantities, and stable for long periods of time. This study will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an experimental multiclade HIV vaccine, VRC-HIVDNA016-00-VP, followed by a similarly structured adenovirus-vectored vaccine boost, VRC-HIVADV014-00-VP, in HIV uninfected adults. The DNA plasmids in both the vaccines code for proteins from HIV subtypes A, B, and C, which together represent 90% of new HIV infections in the world. Participants in this study will be recruited in North America, South America, and Africa.

Each volunteer will participate in the study for 36 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 participants will receive the DNA HIV vaccine at study entry and at Months 1 and 2. At Month 6, Group 1 participants will receive an injection of the adenoviral vector HIV vaccine. Group 2 participants will receive placebo at study entry and Months 1, 2, and 6. There will be 17 study visits, which will occur at study entry and every 2 weeks thereafter until Day 70; at Month 6 and every 2 weeks thereafter until Day 210; and Months 9.5, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36. A physical exam, adverse events reporting, HIV and pregnancy prevention counseling, and medication history will occur at each visit. Blood and urine collection will occur at selected visits.

Inclusion criteria

• HIV uninfected
• Has access to a participating HIV Vaccine Trials Unit (HVTU) and willing to be followed for the duration of the study
• Willing to receive HIV test results
• Good general health
• Willing to use acceptable forms of contraception
• Completed at least 12 years of schooling (South African participants only)

Exclusion criteria

• HIV vaccines in prior HIV vaccine trial
• Immunosuppressive medications within 168 days prior to first study vaccine administration
• Blood products within 120 days prior to first study vaccine administration
• Immunoglobulin within 60 days prior to first study vaccine administration
• Live attenuated vaccines within 30 days prior to first study vaccine administration
• Investigational research agents within 30 days prior to first study vaccine administration
• Subunit or killed vaccines within 14 days prior to first study vaccine administration
• Current tuberculosis prophylaxis or therapy
• Clinically significant medical condition, abnormal physical exam findings, abnormal laboratory results, or past medical history that may affect current health
• Any medical, psychiatric, or social condition that would interfere with the study. More information about this criterion can be found in the protocol.
• Any job-related responsibility that would interfere with the study
• Serious adverse reaction to vaccines. A person who had an adverse reaction to pertussis vaccine as a child is not excluded.
• Autoimmune disease or immunodeficiency
• Active syphilis infection
• Unstable asthma
• Diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2
• Thyroid disease requiring treatment
• Serious angioedema within the past 3 years
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Bleeding disorder
• Cancer. If a participant has had surgery to remove the cancer and, in the opinion of the investigator, the cancer is not likely to recur during the study period, the participant is not excluded.
• Seizure disorder
• Asplenia
• Mental illness that would interfere with compliance with the protocol
• Other conditions that, in the judgment of the investigator, would interfere with the study
• Pregnant or breastfeeding