Subject: Genentech Tests Vaccine To Fight Onset of AIDS
Date: Published: 11/28/90 (39 lines)
Source: Wall Street Journal. Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc.

    Technology:
    Genentech Tests Vaccine
    To Fight Onset of AIDS

    SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.  -- Genentech Inc. said it is
 testing an experimental AIDS vaccine to see whether it can
 delay the onset of acquired immune deficiency syndrome in
 people who are already infected with the virus.
    The vaccine is a gene-spliced version of the virus's outer
 coat, called the gp 120 protein.  The vaccine is being
 administered to 55 volunteers who are infected but
 symptom-free.  The patients will be followed for about 10
 months to determine whether the vaccine can boost their
 immune response, and thus postpone illness.
    Most often, vaccines are thought of as a means of disease
 prevention.  But the extraordinary challenges posed by AIDS
 have led several groups of researchers to think in terms of
 using immunization as a means of enhancing the immune system
 to fight an infection that is already in progress.  Among
 groups now testing this approach are MicroGeneSys of West
 Haven, Conn., and Immune Response Corp. of San Diego, Calif.
    "Immunotherapy is an intriguing treatment possibility,"
 says Arthur J. Ammann, director of clinical research at
 Genentech.  "Since the immune system of an infected individual
 is able to fight the virus during a long latency period, a
 vaccine may be able to boost the body's immune system and
 further delay illness."
    However, Dr. Ammann cautioned, "This study is the
 beginning of what could be a very long process with an
 outcome that is uncertain."

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