Modeling the Effects of Mass Vaccination with CTL-Based AIDS Vaccines

Accumulating data from viral-challenge studies in rhesus monkeys suggest that the current generation of candidate AIDS vaccines, which are aimed at eliciting potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, might improve control of viral replication and delay disease progression (see Science 2000; 290:486, Science 2001; 292:69, and Nature 2002; 415:331). However, these CTL-based AIDS vaccines will likely be unable to prevent infection. Moreover, they might be limited by HIV's ability to mutate and evade immunodominant CTL responses (see ACC Research Notes March 2002, and Nature 2002; 415:331). However, the potential effects of implementing these vaccines in human populations are unknown and are the focus of considerable debate.

Goudsmit and co…