| abstract |
An efficient means of inducing an immune response against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) utilizing specific prime-boost regimes is disclosed. The specific prime-boost regimes employ a heterologous prime-boost protocol employing recombinant adenoviral vectors of alternative and distinct serotypes comprising exogenous genetic material encoding a common HIV antigen. Vaccines administered into living vertebrate tissue in accordance with the disclosed regimes, preferably a mammalian host, such as a human or a non-human mammal of commercial or domestic veterinary importance, express the HIV-1 antigen (e.g., Gag), inducing a cellular immune response which specifically recognizes HIV-1. It is believed that the disclosed prime/boost regime will offer a prophylactic advantage to previously uninfected individuals and/or provide a therapeutic effect by reducing viral load levels within an infected individual, thus prolonging the asymptomatic phase of HIV-1 infection. |