Immunogenicity, safety, biodistribution and persistence of ADVAX, a prophylactic DNA vaccine for HIV-1, delivered by in vivo electroporation.

ADVAX is a DNA-based candidate HIV vaccine that was safe but weakly immunogenic when delivered intramuscularly (IM) in humans. Studies were performed in animal models to determine whether an alternative delivery method, in vivo electroporation (EP), could improve the immunogenicity of ADVAX while maintaining an acceptable safety profile. Immunization of mice with ADVAX with or without EP at weeks 0, 3, and 6, revealed significantly higher gamma interferon ELISpot responses to all antigens in the EP groups.