AIDS vaccine development: perspectives, challenges & hopes

This article, from the Indian Journal of Medicine, argues that development of an AIDS vaccine, which represents the only long-term hope in stopping the epidemic, faces a number of substantive challenges. Firstly, there are a number of scientific obstacles to vaccine development. These include: the diversity and variability of the virus, resistance of a wild type virus, integration of the virus into host cells, and rapid emergence of viral mutants. Secondly, there are a number of programmatic challenges. These include: insufficient political leadership, lack of funds allocated to vaccine development, lack of coordinated efforts, lack of capacity of developing country regulatory authorities, and length of clinical trials, especially trial efficacy.

The author argues that AIDS vaccines must be seen as the ultimate prevention tool that will complement existing prevention strategies. The acceleration of scientific approaches and implementation of clinical trials are the best and possibly only way to reach this goal. This requires strong and renewed political leadership and commitment. It also needs flexible processes, medical and scientific dedication and collaboration and community participation. The author then highlights recent activities in India which demonstrate both government and scientific commitment to long-term efforts to develop a vaccine. [adapted from author]