Topeka — State officials on Monday said an AIDS vaccine being developed at the Kansas University Medical Center may be tested on humans this year.
"We're talking about a cure for AIDS," U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., told members of the Kansas House and Senate budget-writing committees.
The vaccine, which has had reportedly promising results when given to monkeys, is being developed by a research team led by KU virologist Bill Narayan.
Dr. Michael Welch, vice chancellor of research at the medical center, said Narayan probably is three months away from gaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to start testing the vaccine on humans.
Welch said the vaccine stimulates the immune response system "so that it overcomes the AIDS virus."
It also can be administered in a single oral dose, which makes "the potential for this therapy in Africa extraordinary," he said, because it could be administered simply and relatively cheaply.
Narayan did not return a Journal-World phone call for comment. But in previous interviews, he has said the vaccine contains a mild form of the AIDS virus.
When tested, he said, the vaccine produced antibodies that gave monkeys long-term protection against the AIDS virus when transmitted sexually.
Roberts used Narayan's research as an example of why state lawmakers need to increase funding for medical research.
The senator said Narayan was conducting groundbreaking research in antiquated facilities. "Here we have a possible breakthrough on AIDS and the facilities are back in the '50s," Roberts said.
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