Towards anti-HIV vaccines.

There is a great deal of experience on the development and testing of antiviral vaccines but, in the case of HIV, it will be necessary to analyse carefully our understanding of the biology of the organism, the natural history and pathology of the disease (in particular immunity or resistance to infection or clinical symptoms), the possible sources of antigens and methods of formulating and administering them. Only then, and after successful initial trials, will it be possible to propose rational programmes for their use. This article indicates how discussions will be structured and the directions in which they might go, but needs to be supplemented by much more factual information and refined with further opinions and judgements on probable outcomes.