To evaluate an HIV synthetic lipopeptide candidate vaccine component, P3C541b, at two dose levels, administered subcutaneously (s.c.) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study.

The prospective volunteers will be screened and HLA typed for Class I MHC haplotypes. Only volunteers possessing HLA alleles A33, B8, B27, B35 or Bw62 or any combination thereof will be enrolled in the study. Subjects will be allocated to 1 of 2 study groups. Group 1 will receive 70 mcg of P3C541b or the placebo and Group II will receive 350 mcg of P3C541b or the placebo. NOTE: Enrollment for Group II wil not begin until at least 5 Group I participants have reached day 14 without serious adverse events.

Inclusion Criteria

Patients must have or be:

• Healthy
• Negative ELISA for HIV.
• One or more HLA alleles:
• A33, B8, B27, B35, or Bw62.
• Negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen.
• Normal urine dipstick.
• Normal history and physical examination.
• Availability for follow-up planned duration of the study (12 months).
• Viable EBV line prior to enrollment.

Risk behavior: Required:

• Lower risk sexual behavior as defined by AVEG.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with any of the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Medical or psychiatric condition or occupational responsibilities, which preclude subject compliance with the protocol (e.g., recent suicidal ideation or present psychosis).
• Active syphilis. NOTE: If the serology is documented to be false positive due to a remote (> 6 months) treated infection, the volunteer is eligible.
• Hepatitis B surface antigenemia.
• Active tuberculosis. NOTE: Volunteers with a positive PPD and a normal chest X-Ray showing no evidence of TB and not requiring INH therapy are eligible.

Patients with any of the following prior conditions are excluded:

• History of immunodeficiency, chronic illness, malignancy, autoimmune disease.
• History of cancer, unless there has been surgical excision followed by a sufficient observation period to give a reasonable assurance of a cure.
• History of anaphylaxis or history of other serious adverse reactions to vaccines.
• History of serious allergic reaction to any substance, requiring hospitalization or emergent medical care.
• History of suicide attempts or past psychosis.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• History of use of immunosuppressive medication.
• Live attenuated vaccines within 60 days of study.

NOTE:

• Medically indicated subunit or killed vaccines (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal) are not exclusionary but should be given at least 2 weeks away from HIV immunizations.
• Use of experimental agents within 30 days prior to study.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

• Receipt of blood products or immunoglobulin in the past 6 months.

Risk Behavior:

Excluded:

• Subjects with identifiable higher risk behavior for HIV infection as determined by screening questionnaire designed to identify risk factors for HIV infection.
• History of injection drug use within the last 12 months prior to enrollment.
• Higher or intermediate risk sexual behavior as defined by AVEG.