| CPG
7909 Adjuvant Improves Response to Hepatitis B Vaccine in HIV Positive Individuals HIV
positive people with compromised immune function may respond poorly to vaccinations,
due to reduced ability to produce antibodies. At
the 14th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections
last week in Los Angeles, researchers reported results from a study of a vaccine
adjuvant known as CPG
7909, produced by Coley Pharmaceutical Group. Adjuvants are agents used with
vaccines to stimulate immune response. In
this randomized controlled trial, 58 HIV positive participants received a double
dose of the Engerix-B hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine plus either the CPG 7909
adjuvant or a placebo. Half were vaccine-naive and half were non-responsive to
a previous vaccination attempt.
Results •
Hepatitis B antibody titres were significantly higher in patients receiving the
CPG 7909 compared with placebo at all time points (P < 0.05).
•
Subjects
in the CPG 7909 arm achieved protective antibody titres more rapidly.
•
A
higher proportion of participants receiving CPG 7909 maintained protective antibody
levels through 60 months.
•
CPG
7909 was generally well tolerated.
•
Subjects in the CPG 7909 experienced a significantly greater transient decline
in absolute CD4 cell count, but
not in CD4 cell percentage.
Conclusion
The researchers concluded that, "The immunostimulatory properties
of CPG 7909 present an important strategy in achieving long-term hepatitis B seroprotection
in HBV vaccine hyporesponsive populations."
Ottawa Hosp, Univ of
Ottawa, Canada; Coley Pharma Group, Ottawa, Canada and Wellesley, MA.
03/09/07 Reference
C
Cooper, J Angel, I Seguin, and others. CpG Adjuvant + HBV Vaccination in HIV Infection
Achieves Long-term Seroprotection for as Long as 5 Years. 14th Conference on Retroviruses
and Opportunistic Infections. Los Angeles. February 25-28, 2007. Abstract 134
(oral).
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