Safety of and Immune Response to an HIV-1 Vaccine (ALVAC-HIV vCP1521) in Infants Born to HIV Infected Mothers

The purpose of this study is to test the safety of and immune response to an HIV-1 vaccine, ALVAC-HIV vCP1521, given to infants born to HIV-1 infected mothers in Uganda.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV can be caused either by perinatal transmission of HIV or by breastfeeding, a common practice in poorer regions of the world. HIV preventive vaccines are currently under investigation as potential solutions to worldwide MTCT of HIV. This study will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an HIV-1 vaccine, ALVAC-HIV vCP1521, in infants born to HIV-1 infected mothers in Uganda. The vaccine is a preparation of a live attenuated recombinant canarypox virus, encoding HIV clades B and E envelope proteins. This study will be conducted at Mulago Hospital in Uganda.

Mothers will enroll in this study during their third trimesters of pregnancy. During screening, mothers will undergo medical history assessment, a physical exam, and blood collection. After delivery and prior to infant enrollment, mothers will have another physical exam; mothers and their infants will be accompanied home by a home visitor who will document contact information.

Infants will be followed for 24 months after birth. Infants will be randomly assigned to receive 4 injections of vaccine or placebo. Study injections will be given at the start of the study and at Weeks 4, 8, and 12. Infants will be observed for 1 hour after each vaccine administration to check for body temperature and local and systemic reactions. They will also be evaluated in the clinic the day after each immunization for any local or systemic reactions. Infants will be visited at home 2 days after vaccine administration by a trained study nurse who will assess reactogenicity. Blood will be collected at 9 selected times: study entry, Weeks 2, 6, 10, and 14, and Months 6, 12, 18, and 24. Sixteen study visits occurring over 2 years will include medical history assessment and physical exams. Childhood immunizations will be given to infants at study entry and at Weeks 6, 10, and 14 and Months 6 and 12.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria for HIV Infected Women:

* HIV infected
* In third trimester of pregnancy
* CD4 count of more than 500 cells/mm3 at screening
* Intends to give birth at Mulago Hospital, Uganda
* Willing to be taken home by a home visitor after delivery to document locator information and willing to be visited at home later

Inclusion Criteria for Infants Born to HIV Infected Women:

* 3 or fewer days of age
* Born to an HIV infected woman eligible for the study
* Weight at birth at least 2000 g (4.4 lbs)

Exclusion Criteria for HIV Infected Women:

* Prior participation in an HIV-1 vaccine trial
* Investigational agents, blood products, immunoglobulin, or immunotherapy any time during this pregnancy
* Documented or suspected serious medical illness or life-threatening condition that may interfere with the study
* Multiple birth predicted in current pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria for Infants Born to HIV Infected Women:

* Mother left study prior to infant enrollment and randomization
* Mother or infant received any active or passive HIV immunotherapy or investigational product other than the study vaccine. Mothers and infants who have taken nevirapine prior to study entry are not excluded.
* Blood products, immunoglobulin, or immunosuppressive therapy during labor and delivery or prior to study enrollment
* Abnormal vital signs prior to vaccination or clinical symptoms that may interfere with vaccine reaction assessment
* Part of a multiple birth