New herpes vaccine could prevent and treat infection

Permission has been granted to an Australian company for the start of Phase I clinical trials to test a new vaccine for herpes. The herpes simplex 2 vaccine (HSV-2) could offer a treatment for both the prevention of herpes and for those that carry the virus.

Coridon is the company that developed the new vaccine for genital herpes treatment, which is a viral infection of the skin cells. The infection, which presents itself if periodic outbreaks in certain areas of the body - most notably the genitals and the mouth, can occur when the immune system is compromised. Once a person has the virus, they will carry it for the rest of their lives as it survives in the nerve cells of infected skin.

Environments or activities that affect the immune system - such as lack of sleep of extreme stress - can trigger an outbreak. Whilst the disease is non-transmissible at any other time, if the infection has flared up it is contagious. At this time people with the herpes virus are advised not to be involved in any sexual contact.

Currently the only available treatment for herpes is a pill called Valtrex, which stops the virus' ability to replicate. Whilst this doesn't cure the infection it does stop it from progressing and can stop outbreaks. Carrying the herpes virus means that an individual is more prone to infection by other sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

The Phase I trial of the HSV-2 vaccine is to take place in Brisbane, Australia, and will be conducted by Q-Pharm. To begin with, 20 participants will be involved in the trial, which will require they have a single injection of the vaccine into their forearm. The trial will determine how well the vaccine is tolerated by participants and to judge whether the dosage will need to be adjusted to improve its immune response.