Promising Results for Moderna's Experimental HIV Vaccines

Two experimental vaccines from Moderna for the prevention of HIV, based on mRNA technology, have shown encouraging results in early clinical trials. A third candidate vaccine from the company did not lead to the production of antibodies against the virus.

The results concern the first phase of clinical trials, which mainly examines the safety of the vaccines. Their effectiveness remains to be determined in subsequent phases.

mRNA vaccines force human cells to produce viral proteins, which are then recognized as a target by the immune system for the production of corresponding antibodies.

In the new study, 80% of the volunteers who received the bound protein vaccines produced antibodies that could potentially prevent the virus from entering cells.

Eczema appeared in 6.5% of the volunteers with all three vaccines, and in some cases did not subside for months. Researchers believe that eczema is not a reason to stop the trials. Future efforts will focus on bound protein vaccines and will test lower doses of mRNA.