Sticking It To The Herpes Virus: Effective Vaccines Could Become Available

U.S. researchers have produced an effective vaccine for genital herpes offering hope that the spread of the incurable disease can be limited, and which could be available to the general public within the next three to five years.

Studies showed that the vaccine prevented infection in 74% of women exposed for the first time to the genital herpes virus, known as herpes simplex virus type 2.

However, the vaccine didn't work at all in men, researchers reported, adding they were not sure why. The Stanberry team's test included 978 women and 1,736 men whose partners had genital herpes, all of whom got either three vaccine shots or three placebo shots within a six-month period. They were followed for a total of 19 months.

The researchers discovered the vaccine didn't work well in women who had been infected by a related virus, the herpes simplex virus type 1, which is responsible for cold sores or fever blisters.

Only when women had never been exposed to type 1 or type 2 herpes did the effectiveness of the vaccine reach 74 percent.

Stanberry said even with those limitations and the lack of effectiveness in men, the vaccine could be a powerful weapon in the fight against herpes.

Herpes vaccines are currently being investigated and it is felt that an effective vaccine may be available in 3-5 years. Vaccines will only function to prevent the infection in new patients. Those who already have the simplex virus disease will probably not gain any benefit.

Isoniplex (Isoprinosine) is already available in over 56 countries. Most countries have approved it for use in HSV infections due to its antiviral action, and more significantly, the ability to stimulate the body's immune response. Isoniplex is currently under investigational trials for HSV primary and recurrent cases in the United States.

A herpes vaccine developed in the lab of David Knipe, the Higgins professor of microbiology and molecular genetics and head of the HMS PhD Program in Virology, has been licensed by the British company Acambis to undergo preclinical testing; the company looks forward to submitting an investigational new drug application in 2009.

Called dl5-29, the vaccine is based on a live mutant strain of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) that has two genes deleted so it cannot replicate. HSV-2 causes most cases of genital herpes while HSV-1 causes ulcers of the lip, mouth, and face.

Under the agreement, established through the Harvard Office of Technology Development, Acambis holds an exclusive worldwide license to manufacture and sell the vaccine.

Herpes virus infections are lifelong since the pathogen becomes latent and causes recurrent disease. Although it is incurable, HSV-2 infection typically does not cause major health problems, but it can be life-threatening in immunocompromised people and newborns infected by their mothers.

To date, there are no licensed HSV vaccines. Herpes infections are treated with antiviral medication, which suppresses symptoms without curing the disease.

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Sticking It To The Herpes Virus: Effective Vaccines Could Become Available

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