Considerations for the FutureDevelopment of an AIDS Vaccine. Development of an effective vaccine does not appear to be likely in the near future. This situation is related to both technical difficulties that are peculiar to HIV and possibly also political reasons. More recent advances in understanding and augmenting the cellular immune response to HIV have perhaps moved us farther along the path of vaccine development. However, to date, only one vaccine, containing the gp120 surface protein of the virus, has continued far enough along the path to reach the status of a large-scale, Phase III clinical trial. In his book, Shots in the Dark: The Wayward Search for an AIDS Vaccine, Cohen (2001) stated that the wayward search for an AIDS vaccine could have been shortened considerably via centralization of leadership and unification of direction under a model similar to that of the effective development of the polio vaccine by the March of Dimes. With no similar type of organizational leadership, there has been no master strategy in the development of an AIDS vaccine. Cohen charges that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been unable to provide this leadership and that research virologists, interested only in understanding HIV pathogenesis and its reaction with the immune system, have not encouraged the appropriate research necessary to find a vaccine. Cohen is impressed by initiatives taken by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and by the formation of the activist organization, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition.
Future Research Needs. In contrast to the drug treatments we have at present, more effective therapies are needed that are cost effective, less toxic, and more aggressive to resistance. The philosophy of "hit early and hit hard" is no longer the therapeutic bastion of HIV treatment. Because of the difficulties with present therapies, more "drug holidays" and other nondrug therapies are being considered by patients and practitioners alike before beginning HAART. More research is needed for these and other nondrug treatments of AIDS. Presently, HIV treatment proceeds with inadequate research data regarding large segments of the treatment population. In order for treatment to be effective, practitioners must accumulate conclusive outcome data regarding when to change a drug regimen, what therapy to change to, when to stop therapy, and how to effectively treat the population harboring multiple virologic failures.
Sources of Additional Alternative InformationOrganizations
Group for the Scientific Reappraisal of the HIV/AIDS HypothesisMembers of this organization are scientists, researchers, and leaders of the debate about etiology of AIDS from all over the world. They publish a monthly newsletter, Reappraising AIDS, which offers readable and highly informative insights.
The Group
7414 Girard Avenue #1-331
La Jolla, CA 92037
HEAL (Health Education AIDS Liaison)HEAL is a nonprofit, community-based education network with independent chapters located throughout the United States. HEAL was originally founded in 1982 as an AIDS support group under the direction of Dr. Michael Ellner, president and Dr. Frank Buincouckas, science adviser. In 1985 HEAL New York became the inspiration for an international movement challenging the validity of the HIV/AIDS hypothesis and the efficacy of HIV-based treatments. For more than a decade, HEAL New York has been a leading source of comprehensive information on effective, nontoxic, and holistic approaches to recovery from AIDS and has served as a consistent voice that calls for honesty in AIDS issues. There are presently chapters in 20 North American cities and seven countries worldwide.
HEAL New York
New York, NY
Telephone: (212) 873-0780
ContinuumContinuum is a bimonthly magazine published in London. It features extensive articles on alternatives to pharmaceutical therapies and standard AIDS "think" while covering AIDS news and events around the world.
Continuum
172 Founding Court
Brunswick Centre
London, WC1N 1QE, England
Telephone: (44)(0)171-713-7071
Fax: (44)(0)171-713-7072
Internet Sites
www.virusmyth.comThe Group for the Scientific Reappraisal of the HIV/AIDS Hypothesis came into existence as a group of signatories in an open letter to the scientific community. This website contains more than 250 Web pages with more than 200 articles.
www.epcnet.com/heal and
www.aliveandwell.orgHEAL Los Angeles offers free educational forums to inspire a will to live, participate in life, and cultivate a healthy future. The scientific data HEAL makes available help people separate fear from facts and provide a solid foundation upon which to base important health decisions. HEAL forums emphasize personal independent understanding of medicine and science, and individual responsibility in health management.
www.healsf.orgHEAL San Francisco provides a chapter website. What if everything you thought you knew about AIDS was wrong? This site examines the mounting body of evidence that much of what the general public has been told about AIDS is wrong. If you or a loved one are HIV-positive, this site offers an alternative view.
Summary of Possible Treatments for HIV/AIDS1. Antiretroviral drugs in routine use (under physician supervision):
- NRTIs (nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors):
- Zidovudine (AZT, ZDV)
- Didanosine (ddI)
- Zalcitabine (ddC)
- Lamivudine (3TC)
- Stavudine (d4T)
- Abacavir (ABC)
- NNRTIs (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors):
- Nevirapine (NVP)
- Efavirenz (EFV)
- Delavirdine (DEL)
- PIs (protease inhibitors):
- Saquinavir (SQV)
- Indinavir (IND)
- Ritonavir (RIT)
- Nelfinavir (NEL)
- Amprenavir (AMP)
2. Glutathione boosters:
- NAC, 600 mg 2 times daily
- Vitamin C, 1000 mg 3 times daily
- Alpha-lipoic acid, 250 mg twice daily
- Whey protein isolate, 30-60 grams daily
- SAMe, 400-800 mg daily
- Glutathione, 500 mg twice daily
- Silibinin, 250-mg capsules 3 times daily
3. Antioxidants:
- Vitamin C, see above
- Beta carotene, 25,000 IU daily
- Vitamin A, 10,000 IU daily; higher doses with supervision of a physician only
- Vitamin E, 400 IU daily
- Life Extension Mix, 3 capsules 3 times daily, may be taken in place of many supplements listed here
4. Immune modulators:
- Lactoferrin, 900 mg daily
- CoQ10, 200 mg daily
- Plant sterols such as Moducare, 2 capsules daily
5. Micronutrients:
- Selenium, 200 mcg 2 times daily
- Zinc, one 30-mg capsule daily
- Vitamin B12, 5000-mcg sublingual lozenge 1 time daily (methylcobalamin form)
6. Amino acids:
- L-glutamine, 1-2 grams daily
- L-carnitine, 3-4 grams daily in 2 divided doses (acetyl-L-carnitine works best)
7. Natural antivirals:
- Olive leaf extract containing 23% oleuropein, 1 500-mg capsule 4 times daily
- SPV-30, one 330-mg capsule 3 times daily (see text for complete treatment recommendations)
- Thymic Immune Factors, 2 capsules daily
8. Digestive enzymes:
- Super Digestive Enzymes, 2 capsules before each meal
9. Hormonal treatments:
- Growth Hormone, after testing and with supervision of a physician
- Melatonin, 3-30 mg at bedtime
- Testosterone, after testing and with supervision of a physician
- DHEA, after testing and with supervision of a physician (usual dosages are 50-200 mg daily)
10. Other pharmaceuticals being used in the treatment of AIDS:
- Naltrexone
- Isoprinosine
- Diethyldithiocarboliate
- Biostim
- Thymosin alpha-1
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