Emory University to begin HIV vaccine trials in October

Human trials of an HIV vaccine that aims to prompt immune system responses to virus inside the body will begin in October at Atlanta's Emory University, where the vaccine was developed, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The vaccine consists of two injections of compounds crafted from HIV genes--the first primes the body to produce an antibody response to invading virus, and a second shot activates the body's natural killer cells, which attack cells infected with HIV. The clinical trials, which will involve about 30 volunteers, will begin in early October. Preliminary results aren't expected until late 2003.