HIV vaccine candidate shows promise in early trial

NCT ID NCT03284710

Completed ⭐️ VACCINE ⭐️ Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested an experimental HIV vaccine in 132 healthy, HIV-negative adults. The vaccine uses a harmless virus (ALVAC) to deliver HIV proteins, plus a protein boost (gp120) with an adjuvant to strengthen the immune response. The main goals were to check safety and measure whether the vaccine triggers antibodies against HIV. Results will help decide if this approach should move to larger trials.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ALVAC-HIV (vCP2438) and bivalent subtype C gp120 with MF59 or alum adjuvant
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a safe and effective HIV vaccine that trains the immune system to fight the virus.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial (1/2a) focused on safety and immune response, not on preventing HIV infection. Many HIV vaccine candidates have failed in later trials, so success is far from guaranteed.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

HIV infectious disease prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HIV INFECTIONS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Aurum Tembisa CRS

Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1632, South Africa
Emavundleni CRS

Cape Town, Western Cape, 7750, South Africa
Polana Canico Health Research and Training Center (CISPOC), National Institute of Health (INS) CRS

Maputo, Mozambique
Seke South CRS

Chitungwiza, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe
Soweto HVTN CRS

Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1862, South Africa
eThekwini CRS

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4013, South Africa

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