On September 21st, Merck announced the closing of the STEP study, investigating the safety and efficacy of its MRKAd5 HIV-1 vaccine candidate, that used the adenovirus, a common cold virus as a delivery vehicle to transport three synthetically produced HIV genes into the cells. AIDS Research Alliance (ARA) was one of the investigational sites conducting clinical trials on the MRKAd5 candidate.

The decision to end the study was made following the interim analysis of data by the Data & Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). The DSMB recommended the discontinuation of the study because “there is no evidence of a protective effect from the vaccine, and there is no difference in the viral load of those people who became infected after receiving placebo or vaccine.”  
 
Although data from this study disappointed the scientific community and the public, the STEP study was the first vaccine study specifically designed to demonstrate the impact of a vaccine candidate on HIV rapidly, by using a special “test-of-concept” Phase IIb trial that does not require the large number of participants and the resources required for a Phase III trial, which must enroll thousands of participants. Less than 3 years passed - compared to nearly 5 years for a prior HIV vaccine study - from the first injection until the end of the study.

“The closing of the Merck vaccine study may have an important impact on the future of most HIV vaccine candidates currently in the pipeline” said Dr. Stephen J. Brown, ARA Medical Director, “because, like the Merck vaccine, many are designed to similarly stimulate strong cell-mediated immune responses. “

The results of this study may provide valuable information as to the future direction of HIV vaccine research.  Since all vaccine candidates in the pipeline are designed to stimulate only one arm of the immune system, maybe an efficient vaccine against HIV will need to stimulate both arms (including neutralizing antibodies, or other cells such as natural "killer" cells) of the immune system in humans.
A successful immunization strategy may also need to suppress HIV replication and subsequent depletion of CD4+ T cells in the Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT), and other mucosal compartments, by stimulating a strong mucosal immune response. This may require an HIV vaccine that results in strong immune responses at the mucosal barrier where infections occur.

Carolyn H. Carlburg, J.D., ARA Chief Executive Officer stated that “going forward, greater financial support for innovative basic research will be necessary to investigate the important scientific issues facing the development of an effective HIV vaccine.”

Join Marcia Cross, star of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, and Jason Lara and David Abrams, co-owners of luxelab salon at “Into the Enchanted Forest” on October 7th. 

Spend the day getting pampered by one of 20 of luxelab’s amazing stylists, who will donate their time and talent for a couture hair Cut-A-Thon.

Later in the evening, 300 guests will crowd the sleek Montana Avenue salon as it transforms into a swank lounge club for the evening. Catering will be provided by the acclaimed chefs at The Palm West Hollywood, The Palms Downtown and Simon LA, with exquisite bites from Sprinkle’s Cupcakes.  Event planner Shay Watson and nightclub impresario, DJ Henry Eshelman control the evening’s vibe, while Absolut 100 fuels the fun.  All proceeds will benefit ARA’s medical research.

Click here for more information , or to schedule a hair appointment call 888.luxelab

    Greetings, ARA community!  My name is Ari Ezra Waldman, and I run marathons.  In addition to the multitude of items on my daily “To Do” list as a young attorney, training for the ING New York City Marathon is always Number 1 on my list.  There is more to it than increased cardiovascular health - although, as a former chubby kid, the health benefits have been immense!  As I check off marathon after marathon, I admittedly run to meet my own personal goals and to show the world that a short, gay Jewish kid from New Jersey, who graduated from Harvard Law School isn't as bookish as they might think.

But more so, each step I take and each sneaker I ruin moves me forward with a greater purpose in mind.  I've run hundreds of miles and raised thousands of dollars to support the fight against numerous diseases, including Crohn's disease, Colitis, AIDS and breast cancer.  

I'm proud to join with the organizations, and I'm even prouder to join AIDS Research Alliance for my next 26.2 miles.  I came of age at a time when AIDS is no longer an automatic death sentence for most people with access to life-saving medicines.  But I am all too aware that the disease still destroys families and communities in the U.S. and throughout the world.  And so I'm putting my support - and the support of my friends, family, and co-workers - behind the steadfast efforts of AIDS Research Alliance.

I've come across many AIDS organizations and charities.  But most direct little or none of their efforts to the actual medical research needed to develop effective treatments and end this crisis.  ARA is one of the very few community-based organizations doing this, and that is why it remains at the forefront of the search for a cure.

Between now and November 4, 2007, I will be training to finish the marathon in approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes.  I invite you to check my progress and learn about funny things that happen to me along the way at www.marathonfunnies.blogspot.com .

If you would like to support ARA through my marathon, please visit my donation page at www.firstgiving.com.   Under "sponsor a friend" type "Ari Waldman."

Help me run toward the finish line alongside AIDS Research Alliance!

For centuries, the appeal and legendary medicinal properties of the pomegranate have been emphasized in works of art and literature, including Raphael, Cézanne, Homer and Shakespeare. In ancient times, the Babylonians would chew the seeds before battle, believing it would make them invincible.  Ancient Egyptians were buried with pomegranates. In modern times, the pomegranate became a popular staple in Middle Eastern, Indian and Iranian cuisines. President Bush even suggested, in his meeting in May with Afghanistan President Karzai , that pomegranate crops be grown instead of poppies.                                        
In recent years, pomegranate juice has been widely marketed as a powerful part of a healthy diet.  AIDS Research Alliance is now actively recruiting volunteers for a preliminary study designed to investigate the ability of pomegranate juice as a nutritional supplement to improve the quality of life of HIV positive individuals.  

As more HIV-positive individuals and/or their physicians heed current CDC recommendations to delay treatment until the CD4+ cell count declines to ≤350 cells/ml, there is evidence that unchecked viral replication can impact quality of life and perhaps increase risk of cardiac diseases.

Previous studies demonstrate that pomegranate juice, which is rich in antioxidants, has a number of positive health benefits, including a reduction of arterial plaque buildup, lowering of blood pressure in patients with hypertension, decreasing the amount of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and increasing blood flow through the coronary (heart) arteries. Another recent study indicates that pomegranate juice acts as an entry inhibitor against various strains of HIV-1 in test-tube studies. Given these positive effects of pomegranate juice on cardiac risk factors, as well as the juice’s potential anti-HIV properties, pomegranate juice may be used to improve the health of HIV positive individuals who choose to defer HAART therapy.

AIDS Research Alliance has begun a proof-of-concept study to investigate the effects of pomegranate juice on the quality of life and health of people living with HIV. This study will evaluate quality of life changes, cardiovascular risk profiles, viral load, and CD4 cell counts at weeks 4 and 8 of the study in comparison to baseline (pre-study).

For information about participating in this important study, please contact us at 310-358-2429 or at ccastro@aidsresearch.org.