On August 19, 2021, the Moderna laboratory will start a randomized clinical trial on humans for its candidate vaccine against HIV which may be responsible for AIDS. When will we know if the vaccine is working? What technology is used?

HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus can progress to the last stage and can lead to the development of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and considerably weaken the body. There is a treatment, which unfortunately does not cure the patient of the disease, but which can reduce the progression of the virus in the body and thus allow him to live longer. However, good news has just been given, as the American biotechnology company Moderna has just announced the launch of human clinical trials to test an HIV vaccine. The technology used is messenger RNA, as for the Spikevax vaccine used against Covid-19. Although RNA is considered to be an innovation, it is a process that has existed, according to the Institut Pasteur, since the 1960s. However, the coronavirus pandemic has made it possible to shed light on this technology, in particular thanks to global mobilization of scientists and pharmaceutical companies. To analyze the immune response induced by the vaccine and assess its safety, Moderna is recruiting 56 participants aged between 18 and 50 years, in good health and not infected with HIV. Everyone must be patient, because the phase 1 study will end on May 1, 2023. Throughout the trial, which will be carried out under strict medical supervision, the researchers will observe the levels of antibodies products, readjust the dosage of the candidate vaccine or determine the frequency of administration of the serum for the following steps or other studies. As a reminder, a vaccine can only be marketed if it passes phase 3 of the clinical trial.

In 2016, according to Inserm, in France, more than 172 people were living with this disease which destroys the immune system and 700 French people discovered their HIV status that same year. Globally, more than 6 million people have died of AIDS and nearly 000 million people are living with this disease. Moderna hopes that its vaccine will be effective, in particular in protecting the youngest, who may be more exposed to the virus, which is transmitted mainly during sexual intercourse, but also through blood and breast milk. In addition, according to the American company, AIDS “ represents a significant financial burden , Estimated at more than 526 billion dollars worldwide to treat, treat or prevent HIV. The hope of a vaccine against this retrovirus is therefore immense and messenger RNA technology could well prove to be effective, in particular against variants of HIV, which has already mutated several times.