A Phase I Safety and Immunogenicity Trial of Live Recombinant Canarypox ALVAC-HIV vCP300 and HIV-1 SF-2 rgp120 in HIV-1 Uninfected Adult Volunteers

To evaluate, in HIV-negative volunteers, the safety and immunogenicity of ALVAC-HIV MN120TMGNP (vCP300) followed by or combined with boosting using rgp120/HIV-1SF2. To compare ALVAC-HIV vCP300 with ALVAC-RG rabies glycoprotein (vCP65) as a control. To evaluate an accelerated immunization schedule at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months versus 0, 1, 6, and 9 months.

The combination of a live recombinant primer followed by a subunit boost has the potential to induce not only cytotoxic T lymphocytes but also neutralizing antibody.

The combination of a live recombinant primer followed by a subunit boost has the potential to induce not only cytotoxic T lymphocytes but also neutralizing antibody.

Volunteers are randomized to one of seven groups to receive immunizations with either ALVAC-HIV vCP300 or ALVAC-RG vCP65 (control), plus simultaneous or sequential boosting with rgp120/HIV-1SF2 or placebo. Immunizations are given at 0, 1, 6, and 9 months or 0, 1, 3, and 6 months. Volunteers are followed for at least 24 months.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria

Volunteers must have:

* Normal history and physical exam.
* ELISA and Western blot negative for HIV.
* CD4 count \>= 400 cells/mm3.
* Normal urine dipstick with esterase and nitrite.
* Lower risk sexual behavior.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Subjects with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

* Positive hepatitis B surface antigen.
* Medical or psychiatric condition (such as recent suicidal ideation or present psychosis) that precludes compliance.
* Active syphilis. NOTE: Subjects with serology documented to be a false positive or due to a remote (\> 6 months) treated infection are eligible.
* Active tuberculosis. NOTE: Subjects with a positive PPD and a normal chest x-ray showing no evidence of TB and not requiring isoniazid therapy are eligible.
* Allergy to egg products or neomycin.

Subjects with the following prior conditions are excluded:

* History of immunodeficiency, chronic illness, autoimmune disease, or use of immunosuppressive medications.
* History of anaphylaxis or other serious adverse reactions to vaccines.
* Prior immunization against rabies.
* History of serious allergic reaction to any substance, requiring hospitalization or emergent medical care (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bronchospasm, or hypotension).
* Prior psychiatric condition (such as history of suicide attempts or past psychosis) that precludes compliance.
* History of cancer unless there has been surgical excision that is considered to have achieved cure.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

* Live attenuated vaccines within 60 days prior to study entry. NOTE: Medically indicated killed or subunit vaccines (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal) do not exclude if administered at least 2 weeks from HIV immunizations.
* Experimental agents within 30 days prior to study entry.
* Prior HIV vaccines.
* Prior rabies immunization.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

* Blood products or immunoglobulin within 6 months prior to study entry. Identifiable high-risk behavior for HIV infection, such as
* injection drug use within past 12 months.
* higher or intermediate risk sexual behavior.