GLOSSARY OF KEY HIV VACCINE TERMS Immunogenicity – when attributed to a test vaccine, defines the • Since 2001, USAID has contributed $134 million to help discover an HIV vaccine. Currently, USAID is committing annual product’s ability to cause the body to produce antibodies or T-cells funding of $28 million through 2011 for HIV vaccine R&D. that may protect against an infection, disease, or foreign substance. • USAID provides support for all phases of HIV vaccine applied R&D, infrastructure, and capacity building for clinical trial Innate Immunity – a relatively nonspecific response that protects conduct, public communications, and policy analysis through a partnership with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. against a whole class or type of invaders but does not generate USAID does not support basic research. TECHNICAL ISSUE BRIEF immune memory (see adaptive immune response). Killer T-cells – a group of T-cells that is activated by helper T-cells • USAID plans involvement with the Global HIV/AIDS Vaccine Enterprise. PATHWAYS OF DISCOVERY: and has the ability to destroy cells infected by foreign invaders (such as viruses). Also known as cytotoxic T-cells, they may belong to the • USAID facilitates coordination between HIV vaccine clinical trial activities and HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment HIV VACCINE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CD8 group. programs in developing countries. Lymphocytes – the diverse set of white blood cells (each with different functions) that are responsible for immune responses. virologists convenes twice a year to review the R&D portfolio activities. As the Global HIV/AIDS Vaccine Enterprise evolves Introduction There are two main types: B-cells (responsible for producing anti- under consideration by the organization. USAID receives its into a growing global initiative to coordinate resources, share The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to impose a global burden, es­ bodies) and T-cells (which orchestrate various aspects of the immune proceedings and is confident in this method of intense examination technology and data, and foster greater collaboration, USAID pecially on developing countries. In the present as in the past, viral response and carry out specialized functions such as destroying cells of scientific research while exercising its authority to call upon looks forward to contributing its developing-country expertise infectious diseases are most effectively controlled – some even infected with pathogens). These cells are produced in the bone mar- additional independent external advisors as needed. All scientific to this valuable endeavor. USAID also facilitates linkages between eradicated – through prevention programs that include a vaccine. row and thymus, respectively. proposals reaching the level of IAVI’s SAC are pre-evaluated using HIV vaccine clinical trial activities in Africa and Asia and HIV/AIDS No single approach to HIV/AIDS prevention is likely to have a dra­ Memory cells – T-cells or B-cells that have been exposed to a spe- standardized selection criteria by a group of internal experts in vac- treatment, care, and prevention services under the U.S. President’s matic impact. Integrated approaches to prevention, detection, and cific invading organism and remembers the organism. Memory cells cine discovery and product development. A detailed scientific and Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, management that are tailored to specific populations yield the best help the immune system respond faster when they encounter invad- business due diligence is conducted for the proposals of interest, Tuberculosis and Malaria. results. Reversing the course of the AIDS pandemic will require ing organisms for the second time. Memory cells are long-lived sub- the intensity of which depends upon the stage of the technology carefully combined strategies that include behavioral, biomedical, sets of T-cells and B-cells that have been exposed to specific antigens platform and to what degree IAVI’s support is expected. The Chair As promising vaccine candidates are identified, USAID will provide and even surgical methods to prevent HIV, as is the case with male and can “recall” them (and then quickly mobilize an immune re- of IAVI’s SAC and its R&D management committee review each support through IAVI to assess how the availability of an HIV vac- circumcision. An effective HIV vaccine would significantly advance sponse), even if infection occurs many years later. proposal and offer their final recommendations to the senior man- cine might contribute to changing risk behavior, and how these ef- successful prevention strategies to control the AIDS pandemic. agement team. Approval from IAVI’s Board of Directors is also fects can be countered. USAID is planning for the introduction of McCLUSKEY/USAID M. Mutation – a change in the genetic material (DNA) inside a cell sought when projects require substantive organizational resources HIV vaccines in developing-country settings. These activities will YRG Care, a premiere HIV referral center in Chennai,Tamil Nadu, that results in a new characteristic. HIV is a virus that mutates and funding. The SAC subcommittees – Project Management eventually include engaging host-country governments to register Vaccine Research and Development: India, actively educates communities about HIV vaccine research in frequently as it replicates (reproduces itself), often resulting in Committee and Clinical Trials Committee – provide ongoing over- the new products, managing supply chain and logistics of vaccine A Complex Scientific Endeavor many venues. These young people are watching a play about adults a stronger and/or drug-resistant virus. being encouraged to get tested for HIV as part of participating in a sight of approved projects and their respective progress against delivery, developing protocols and training health care workers Although vaccines have proven to be among the most efficient clinical trial for a novel HIV vaccine. Neutralizing antibody – an antibody that prevents a virus from milestones on a quarterly and biannual basis. through partnerships that pre-exist in current USAID networks. tools to stop epidemics like smallpox, polio, and measles, their infecting a cell, usually by blocking viral entry points (receptors) development is neither easy nor rapid. Vaccines that are currently on the virus. Although there is little doubt about the potential for an effective administered routinely and are saving countless lives have taken up USAID’s Approach to HIV Vaccine Preclinical – testing of a vaccine or drug in cells or animals Future Directions HIV vaccine to curb the pandemic, the road to one is long and to 50 years to discover and develop. The first HIV vaccine trial Research and Development before testing in humans. Through its key partnership with IAVI and interactions with other arduous. Given the challenges, it is likely that no single candidate began in 1987; since that time, many challenges have surfaced in As an agency committed to international development and a key organizations, USAID engages in HIV vaccine R&D and related will provide a definitive solution to the pandemic. The likely sce- the pursuit of a safe and effective vaccine against the virus. If HIV par tner in the expansion of care and treatment to ease the grip T-cells – one of two main types of white blood cells critical to nario is one of discovering and mobilizing a variety of new tools to caused disease in animals the way it does in humans, testing vac­ of the pandemic, the U.S. Agency for International Development the immune system. They include CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. The “T” stop HIV, each with its own limitations. When used in combination cines for their potential effects could be done in predictive animal (USAID) brings valuable exper tise and resources to the goal of stands for the thymus, where T-lymphocytes mature. “We must never lose sight of what a with other approaches, such as consistent condom use and partner models. Since such a reliable model does not exist for HIV, the developing a globally relevant HIV vaccine. In addition to five Virus – a microorganism composed of a piece of genetic material vaccine against HIV could accomplish. So many reduction where possible, we may be able to turn the tide against only way to confidently prove the efficacy of a candidate vaccine is decades of experience in international development and field (RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein coat. To replicate, a virus the growing epidemic. to conduct clinical trials in people who are at risk for HIV infection. presence in nearly 100 countries, USAID has in-house exper tise have suffered for so long; the least we can do in clinical trial design and conduct, immunology, virology, product must infect a cell and direct the cellular machinery to produce is patiently focus our hopes and hard works new viruses. USAID is an established technical assistance and development The goal of all vaccines is to create an development, pharmaceutical regulator y affairs, ethics, commu­ on the science that can lead us to a promising agency with a reputable history of supporting programs to im- nity engagement and gender issues. Inevitably, more large-scale Vector – a bacterium or virus that does not cause disease in vaccine capable of diminishing this epidemic.” prove public health. Vast improvements in public health are not immunological response that can either prevent human trials are needed in developing countries to under stand humans and is used in genetically engineered vaccines