I am doing research about HIV and its related complications. What can I expect to learn from this Web site?
The AVEG Web site is targeted toward researchers looking for information about completed and ongoing clinical trials in AIDS vaccines. Information presented is focused on AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Group (AVEG) Phase I/II preventative AIDS vaccine research efforts since 1988, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The information is fairly technical and intended for the person with knowledge of HIV or the vaccine development process.The material presented on this site includes current information on the AVEG, its collaborating partners in industry and academia, and details about the Group's activities. Specifically, the organization and structure of the AVEG, protocol descriptions for completed and ongoing AVEG trials, a reference list for papers generated by AVEG investigators related to these studies, and information related to vaccine products evaluated by the AVEG are described.
I am doing research and would like to request specimens for a collaborative study with the AVEG. How do I submit this request?
To protect the scientific integrity of the AVEG and to insure that the best use of the limited resources of volunteer specimens is made, all proposals for collaborations with the AVEG by non-AVEG investigators employing AVEG volunteer specimens must undergo a submission and approval process. A description of this process, along with the submission forms, can be opened by clicking here. (Note: This is a pdf file. Accessing it requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't already have this utility on your computer, click here to download.)
How frequently is the information on this site updated?
Information on this website is updated at least every 3-4 months.
But, what if I don't know anything about the AIDS virus and its related complications..... is this a good Web site to begin looking for information?
This is probably not the place to start your search. To familiarize yourself with the details of the AIDS virus or HIV infection, we suggest you try:
If I want more information about volunteering to participate in an AIDS Vaccine trial, how do I proceed?
Volunteers for AVEG studies are being recruited by six AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Units (AVEUs). See our volunteer information page for links to these AVEUs and to AVEG recruiters.
How many AVEG protocols are there? How many volunteers?
The AVEG has conducted approximately 55 protocols, grouped into about 30 studies. About 20-100 volunteers participate in a Phase I study, whereas 300-400 volunteers enroll in a Phase II study. To date, approximately 2800 HIV-uninfected volunteers have participated in AVEG studies. AVEG studies are ongoing - protocols usually last about 1-2 years; at any one time, volunteers are being actively followed in 10-15 protocols, with 1-5 protocols open to enrollment.
How is a product selected for use in an AIDS vaccine clinical trial?
All products selected for use as a potential AIDS vaccine go through a rigorous screening process. This process begins with an idea for attacking the virus based on vaccine theory and current knowledge of the disease and its mechanism of progression. Each candidate vaccine must undergo extensive pre-clinical evaluation and approval by the AVEG investigators and advisors from the scientific community who comprise the Vaccine Selection Group. The selection of the product is based on pre-clinical results, availability of the product, expected promise of the approach based on related scientific findings, and other factors such as the research interests of the AVEG investigators. Before a vaccine can be administered to human subjects, it undergoes review by the FDA and Institutional Review Boards at each clinical site.
What other clinical trials related to HIV and AIDS are being conducted?
An enormous amount of research about HIV and AIDS is being conducted by private and public research groups. The AVEG primarily studies preventative HIV vaccines in HIV-uninfected volunteers. The AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service (ACTIS) provides current information on federally and privately sponsored clinical trials for persons with AIDS and HIV infection. ACTIS is a Public Health Service project sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Library of Medicine.
