• DermaVir is a plasmid DNA-containing synthetic nanomedicine. It is administered topically with DermaPrep to target Langerhans cells. Langerhans cells with DermaVir migrate to lymph nodes and express HIV-like particles that induce immune responses to kill HIV-infected cells.
• Hypothesis: Single DermaVir immunization is safe and immunogenic measured by induction of HIV-specific precursor/memory T cell responses.
• GIHU004 was a phase I dose escalation study conducted in Hungary. It evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of three dosing regimens of topical DermaVir immunization for the treatment of HIV-infected individuals on fully suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

This study enrolled nine HIV-infected adult subjects in three sequential dose cohorts. All had durable suppression of HIV-RNA on HAART over the previous 6 months and CD4 count over 300 cells/mm3. Subjects, received on study Day 0 a single DermaVir immunization:

• Low dose: 0.1 mg pDNA, 0.8 mL DermaVir administered under two DermaPrep patches.
• Medium dose: 0.4 mg pDNA, 3.2 mL DermaVir administered under four DermaPrep patches.
• High dose: 0.8 mg pDNA, 6.4 mL DermaVir administered under eight DermaPrep patches.

Subjects were on study for a total of 28 days followed by a post-treatment safety follow-up for 48 weeks. HAART was not interrupted. All subjects completed the 28-day treatment and 48 weeks safety follow up phase.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ability and willingness of subject or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent

• HIV-1 infection, as documented by any licensed ELISA test kit and confirmed by Western blot, HIV-1 culture, HIV-1 antigen, plasma HIV-1 RNA, or a second antibody test by a method other than ELISA

• On a stable antiretroviral regimen without changes or interruptions for at least 12 weeks prior to study entry

• Plasma HIV-1 RNA level of less than 50 copies/mL, obtained at least twice within the 12 weeks prior to study entry

• Peak plasma HIV-1 RNA level before initiation of HAART > 1000 copies/mL

• CD4 cell count > 300 cells/mm3 within the 12 weeks prior to study entry

• Nadir (lowest) CD4+ cell count > 250 cells/mm3 at any time prior to study entry

• The following laboratory values, obtained within 30 days prior to study entry:

  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1000/mm3
  • Hemoglobin > 9.0 g/dL
  • Platelet count > 50,000/mm3
  • Serum creatinine < upper limit of the laboratory normal range (ULN)
  • AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase < 2.5 x ULN
  • Total bilirubin < 2.5 x ULN
  • Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:40 or lower and negative for serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (anti-ds-DNA) test result at screening.

• All women of reproductive potential must have a negative urine beta-HCG pregnancy test performed within 14 days prior to study entry.

• Female study volunteers who are not of reproductive potential or whose male partner has undergone successful vasectomy are eligible without requiring the use of contraception. Acceptable documentation of menopause, sterilization, and azoospermia is written or oral documentation communicated by clinician.

• All subjects must not participate in a conception process (e.g. active attempt to become pregnant or to impregnate, sperm donation, in vitro fertilization) and, if participating in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy, the study volunteer/ partner must use two reliable methods of contraception simultaneously while receiving the protocol-specified vaccination and for 3 months after the last vaccination.

• Karnofsky performance score > 90 within 30 days prior to study entry

• Men and women age 18-50 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Viral load measurement > 50 copies/mL within the last 12 weeks prior to study entry
• History of or evidence of active skin disease (e.g. atopic dermatitis), chronic autoimmune disease or any other significant active skin disease
• Treatment with topical corticosteroids in close proximity to the proposed vaccination sites within 2 weeks prior to study entry
• Excessive exposure to the sun (e.g. sunbathing) within 2 weeks prior to study entry
• Use of any local skin treatments to the targeted vaccination sites within 7 days prior to study entry
• History of diabetes and bleeding disorders
• Previous CDC category C event
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Use of immunomodulating therapy, including cyclosporin, IgG-containing products, interleukins, interferons, systemic glucocorticosteroids, or exposure to an experimental HIV vaccine within 6 months prior to study entry
• Receipt of any vaccine within 30 days prior to study entry
• Allergy/sensitivity to study vaccine products, including adhesives, will be excluded
• Active drug or alcohol use or dependence
• Serious illness until subject either completes therapy or is clinically stable on therapy, in the opinion of the site investigator, for at least 14 days prior to study entry
• Hepatitis B surface antigen and/or anti-hepatitis C positive

From start of study vaccination to study closure

This is a Phase I small sample study that was not powered for the secondary efficacy endpoints.