To evaluate, in HIV-negative volunteers, the safety and immunogenicity of ALVAC-HIV MN120TMGNP (vCP300) followed by or combined with boosting using rgp120/HIV-1SF2. To compare ALVAC-HIV vCP300 with ALVAC-RG rabies glycoprotein (vCP65) as a control. To evaluate an accelerated immunization schedule at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months versus 0, 1, 6, and 9 months.

The combination of a live recombinant primer followed by a subunit boost has the potential to induce not only cytotoxic T lymphocytes but also neutralizing antibody.

The combination of a live recombinant primer followed by a subunit boost has the potential to induce not only cytotoxic T lymphocytes but also neutralizing antibody.

Volunteers are randomized to one of seven groups to receive immunizations with either ALVAC-HIV vCP300 or ALVAC-RG vCP65 (control), plus simultaneous or sequential boosting with rgp120/HIV-1SF2 or placebo. Immunizations are given at 0, 1, 6, and 9 months or 0, 1, 3, and 6 months. Volunteers are followed for at least 24 months.

• Biological: ALVAC-HIV MN120TMGNP (vCP300)
• Biological: ALVAC-RG Rabies Glycoprotein (vCP65)
• Biological: rgp120/HIV-1 SF-2

• Gorse GJ, Patel GB, Mandava MD, Belshe RB. Vaccine-induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 using two complementary in vitro stimulation strategies. Vaccine. 1999 Dec 10;18(9-10):835-49.
• Evans TG, Keefer MC, Weinhold KJ, Wolff M, Montefiori D, Gorse GJ, Graham BS, McElrath MJ, Clements-Mann ML, Mulligan MJ, Fast P, Walker MC, Excler JL, Duliege AM, Tartaglia J. A canarypox vaccine expressing multiple human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genes given alone or with rgp120 elicits broad and durable CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in seronegative volunteers. J Infect Dis. 1999 Aug;180(2):290-8.

Inclusion Criteria

Volunteers must have:

• Normal history and physical exam.
• ELISA and Western blot negative for HIV.
• CD4 count >= 400 cells/mm3.
• Normal urine dipstick with esterase and nitrite.
• Lower risk sexual behavior.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Subjects with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Positive hepatitis B surface antigen.
• Medical or psychiatric condition (such as recent suicidal ideation or present psychosis) that precludes compliance.
• Active syphilis. NOTE: Subjects with serology documented to be a false positive or due to a remote (> 6 months) treated infection are eligible.
• Active tuberculosis. NOTE: Subjects with a positive PPD and a normal chest x-ray showing no evidence of TB and not requiring isoniazid therapy are eligible.
• Allergy to egg products or neomycin.

Subjects with the following prior conditions are excluded:

• History of immunodeficiency, chronic illness, autoimmune disease, or use of immunosuppressive medications.
• History of anaphylaxis or other serious adverse reactions to vaccines.
• Prior immunization against rabies.
• History of serious allergic reaction to any substance, requiring hospitalization or emergent medical care (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bronchospasm, or hypotension).
• Prior psychiatric condition (such as history of suicide attempts or past psychosis) that precludes compliance.
• History of cancer unless there has been surgical excision that is considered to have achieved cure.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Live attenuated vaccines within 60 days prior to study entry. NOTE: Medically indicated killed or subunit vaccines (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal) do not exclude if administered at least 2 weeks from HIV immunizations.
• Experimental agents within 30 days prior to study entry.
• Prior HIV vaccines.
• Prior rabies immunization.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

• Blood products or immunoglobulin within 6 months prior to study entry. Identifiable high-risk behavior for HIV infection, such as
• injection drug use within past 12 months.
• higher or intermediate risk sexual behavior.