Culled from the August 2011 PLoS One scientific journal
Dr. Joseph forbi
Cameroonian and Nigerian researchers, Dr. Joseph Forbi and Dr. Simon Agwale, and their colleagues have developed an experimental HIV-1 vaccine, tailored specifically to help fight
HIV/AIDS in their native Cameroon and Nigeria.
Dr. Simon Agwale
UNAIDS says almost 5,000 people die daily from AIDS-related complications. Sub-Sahara Africa is the hardest HIV/AIDS hit region in the world and this poses a serious threat to the population especially as government support and the technology to combat the epidemic are limited.
Approximately 14,000 new HIV infections are reported daily around the world and over 90 percent of these in developing countries. Sexual intercourse remains the principal method of acquiring HIV infection in this region and vaccines offer the best hope to stop the epidemic. Unfortunately, the creation of an effective vaccine against HIV has been an elusive goal of the scientific community for almost 30 years.
A wide range of virus subtypes in different countries is affecting the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine. The increasing variety of sub-types suggests that the effectiveness of a vaccine is likely to vary between populations unless an innovative method is developed which guards against many virus strains.
Many regions of the world are developing trial vaccines based on subtypes of the virus circulating in their population so as to better protect their populations. For example, the AIDS vaccine for Asia Network was formed to help facilitate the development of a regional AIDS vaccine for use in Asia. When these countries, which have the interest to support meaningful research will be benefiting from a regional vaccine, the virus will continue to devastate Sub-Sahara Africa, the hardest HIV/AIDS hit region, if proactive measures are not taken.
Drs. Forbi and Agwale report their research team has applied the latest vaccine technology to build a “--- second generation Sub-Sahara HIV-1 vaccine.” The vaccine is made up of bits of the specific subtypes of HIV-1 CRF02_AG and G that predominate in West and Central Africa.
They say the bits of HIV in the vaccine were identified from HIV positive patients infected with HIV-1 CRF02_AG and G. The also report their candidate vaccine induced strong broad based neutralizing antibody and cell-based HIV-specific immunity in preclinical studies. “We are very excited about these findings that provide a framework for the design of a vaccine for use in regions where the HIV-1 epidemic is driven by clades CRF02_AG and G,” they said.
The senior public health virologists/vaccinologists said they are in a position to help their nations with the growing AIDS problem. “We have a lot of faith in our approach to developing an HIV vaccine for our people.” They announced their vaccine in a highly rated USA-based scientific journal, PLoS ONE in August 2011. They conducted their research in collaboration with USA and German scientists.
Reactions to the findings have been generally positive. John Pietzsch of the Rockefeller University New York, who is working on a similar line said, “This is a nice study indeed.” Professor Ndip Roland of the University of Buea also said it is a great study. Colonel Fon Clement of the Cameroon army has said, ‘this is promising for HIV but too technical for me to digest’.
Forefront virologist and director of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Professor Abdulsalami Nasidi, M.D., Ph.D., commented, “It is really great to see that you people are doing such a good work and making Nigeria and Africa proud’. Dr. Chidi Nweneka of the MRC Gambia said, “This is indeed a great achievement and shows we can do it. It also means if we have the financial resources locally, Africa can sponsor HIV vaccine trials based on candidate vaccines developed in Africa.” Nigerian HIV expert, Dr. Ali Onoja said the study shows the dream of an HIV vaccine that will work for Africa may be realized soon.
Drs. Forbi and Agwale wish their countries would support their HIV vaccine research so that they can take the project to a logical end and help prevent new HIV infections in their countries. Plans are underway to produce clinical grade products for clinical trials.
This is one of a few instances where individuals from a developing country have played a lead role in a vaccine development program that addresses a public health crisis in their countries of origin.
“We also plan to empower other African countries whose epidemic is driven by different subtypes to address their specific HIV problems using our model for vaccine development,” the excited researchers indicated.
Dr. Forbi was born in Bamenda-Cameroon and Dr. Agwale in Nasarawa State-Nigeria.
Approximately 14,000 new HIV infections are reported daily around the world and over 90 percent of these in developing countries. Sexual intercourse remains the principal method of acquiring HIV infection in this region and vaccines offer the best hope to stop the epidemic. Unfortunately, the creation of an effective vaccine against HIV has been an elusive goal of the scientific community for almost 30 years.
A wide range of virus subtypes in different countries is affecting the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine. The increasing variety of sub-types suggests that the effectiveness of a vaccine is likely to vary between populations unless an innovative method is developed which guards against many virus strains.
Many regions of the world are developing trial vaccines based on subtypes of the virus circulating in their population so as to better protect their populations. For example, the AIDS vaccine for Asia Network was formed to help facilitate the development of a regional AIDS vaccine for use in Asia. When these countries, which have the interest to support meaningful research will be benefiting from a regional vaccine, the virus will continue to devastate Sub-Sahara Africa, the hardest HIV/AIDS hit region, if proactive measures are not taken.
Drs. Forbi and Agwale report their research team has applied the latest vaccine technology to build a “--- second generation Sub-Sahara HIV-1 vaccine.” The vaccine is made up of bits of the specific subtypes of HIV-1 CRF02_AG and G that predominate in West and Central Africa.
They say the bits of HIV in the vaccine were identified from HIV positive patients infected with HIV-1 CRF02_AG and G. The also report their candidate vaccine induced strong broad based neutralizing antibody and cell-based HIV-specific immunity in preclinical studies. “We are very excited about these findings that provide a framework for the design of a vaccine for use in regions where the HIV-1 epidemic is driven by clades CRF02_AG and G,” they said.
The senior public health virologists/vaccinologists said they are in a position to help their nations with the growing AIDS problem. “We have a lot of faith in our approach to developing an HIV vaccine for our people.” They announced their vaccine in a highly rated USA-based scientific journal, PLoS ONE in August 2011. They conducted their research in collaboration with USA and German scientists.
Reactions to the findings have been generally positive. John Pietzsch of the Rockefeller University New York, who is working on a similar line said, “This is a nice study indeed.” Professor Ndip Roland of the University of Buea also said it is a great study. Colonel Fon Clement of the Cameroon army has said, ‘this is promising for HIV but too technical for me to digest’.
Forefront virologist and director of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Professor Abdulsalami Nasidi, M.D., Ph.D., commented, “It is really great to see that you people are doing such a good work and making Nigeria and Africa proud’. Dr. Chidi Nweneka of the MRC Gambia said, “This is indeed a great achievement and shows we can do it. It also means if we have the financial resources locally, Africa can sponsor HIV vaccine trials based on candidate vaccines developed in Africa.” Nigerian HIV expert, Dr. Ali Onoja said the study shows the dream of an HIV vaccine that will work for Africa may be realized soon.
Drs. Forbi and Agwale wish their countries would support their HIV vaccine research so that they can take the project to a logical end and help prevent new HIV infections in their countries. Plans are underway to produce clinical grade products for clinical trials.
This is one of a few instances where individuals from a developing country have played a lead role in a vaccine development program that addresses a public health crisis in their countries of origin.
“We also plan to empower other African countries whose epidemic is driven by different subtypes to address their specific HIV problems using our model for vaccine development,” the excited researchers indicated.
Dr. Forbi was born in Bamenda-Cameroon and Dr. Agwale in Nasarawa State-Nigeria.
This is great work and I am really very happy. I have neither gold nor silver to support this good work, but I will offer you what I have, my prayers. I pray that God may grant you all the means you need. May He put people on your way to support you financially. You will succeed in God's name.
Posted by: Sr Myriam Lum | August 24, 2011 at 01:13 PM
This is the best news of the Day.
This shows there is hope for Africa and if only we can get leaders who have vision and that are not self serving but will creat environment for this kind of inovation. Then the future of Africa is bright and with all of our prayers for Africa
With God on our side, Such leaders will enmerge one day.
Posted by: Pastor Ati | August 24, 2011 at 01:45 PM
Drs. Forbi & Agwale,I am not surprise,I knew you guys were going to make it.Success shall no longer be an event but a habit in your research. This is the kind of news that should be making headlines on our daily magazines in Africa and not about dictators trying to consolidate power.Let all head of states in the West and Central African Sub Region,invest on these kind of ventures and support these young men to realize their goal for better health for all in the region than investing on useless ventures and trying to consolidate power.The Cameroon government should cut her spending on the military and other wild elephant projects just for one year and support these young men.
Posted by: Joe AFONG | August 26, 2011 at 01:09 AM
Good work.I just hope that the European scapticism that has befallen genuine attempts of previous research work permits them to show case their work.
Posted by: Constantine Yuka | August 26, 2011 at 05:32 AM
Courage.This is a wonderful suprise. That is Good work.God Bless your efforts . Do not relent your efforts ; God is with you, and He will keep guiding you through.
Posted by: Sr Caroline Acha | August 26, 2011 at 09:51 AM
Wonderful. Proud to know that we have people with hearts to help Africa. Well done Drs Forbi and Agwale
Posted by: Mr Mbuyah Michael | August 27, 2011 at 12:08 AM
This is a wonderful job guys.Joe, i am so proud of your achievements. I could tell judging back in the days of St. Augustine's college that greatness was on your path.Keep the ball rolling and wish you guys all the best as you guys strive to make the world a better place.
Posted by: Stanley Kinyuy | August 27, 2011 at 05:04 AM
Let the ALMIGHTY assist you guys in all that you achieved and still to.Yes Mr.Paul Biya instead of wasting the people's money on your luxious trips to europe and arms buying to kill innocent and poor people,please encourage these researcers.
Posted by: ahn.henry | August 30, 2011 at 05:46 AM
that's quite a good step but let it not be a review of what late Dr Victor Anoma Ngu did before dying{vahnivax}.that will be piracy ad you will be held responsible for pirating.otherwise GOD should give you people more wisdom to move on.
Posted by: adako | September 02, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Eureka my Profs, you have discovered it. i pray God to grant you more vision. We young African researchers need your advice and encouragement.
Posted by: Chukwuma George | September 04, 2011 at 04:05 AM
God's speed guys!
Posted by: Dr. Julius N. Ade | September 08, 2011 at 06:57 AM
Dr Joe Forbi, when you started this journey, I knew you were to make it. The passion and efforts you put in searching for this breakthrough will tell the world and the HIV, you are dead forever. Congratulation for such a huge impact in the world, I have gone over the work and is really a great work.
Posted by: Dr CS Yah | January 14, 2012 at 11:57 AM