AIDS Research at the NIH: A Critical Review

FREDERICK CANCER RESEARCH FACILITY. ABL Basic Research Program: HIV proteases, X-ray
crystallography, rev mutants, fusion proteins... Biological Products Laboratory: Stephen Nigida:
Monoclonal antibody production for HIV-1 gag proteins. David Waters: Multi-assay screening HIV and HTLV
antibodies for DCE epidemiology. AIDS Vaccine Program: Preparation of HIV challenge stocks for
vaccine trials in chimpanzees. Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Structure: Development of a transgenicBIV mouse model. Development of noninfectious pseudovirions as candidate vaccines for HIV and AIDS.
Laboratories Unknown: Genetic drift in vivo as a means to follow viral transmission and movement of
ancient human populations; Linear polymers of CD4 as polyvalent molecular decoys.
Future plans. NCI asked for $217.5M for AIDS in FY 1993 and got $175.8M. NCI's budget request would
have funded the following:
1. $2 million for prevention and treatment studies in women with cervical dysplasia and cancer in the
context of AIDS through the Community Clinical Oncology Program;
2. $500,000 for one new FTE for intramural research on the genetic regulation of HIV;
3. $250,000 for one new FTE to develop "negative HIV replication regulation" immunotherapies:
4. $1.5M for 6 new FTEs to develop new diagnostic approaches to AIDS-related cancers;
5. $500,000 for 2 contracts screening new agents for lymphoma;
6. $1,500,000 for 5 new grants on the biology and immunology of AIDS-related cancers;
7. $284,000 to add two FTEs for intramural phase II studies of protease inhibitors;
8. $2M for eight new FTEs to study T-cell biology and develop immune enhancing therapies;
9. $204,000 to add three FTEs for intramural research on B1 antibody for B-cell lymphomas;
10. $4.5M for studies on AIDS lymphomas, anogenital tumors through the cancer centers ($1.5M) the
clinical cooperative group program ($3M);
11. $2M for 4 four FTEs to new anti-HIV drugs;
12. $315,000 for four FTEs to study G-proteins as regulators of secretion in HIV-infected cells;
13. $3.9M for one FTE ($500,000) to fund 7 new grants ($2.1M) for vaccine development;
14. $103,000 for one FTE to develop treatment for high-grade lymphomas and AIDS.
15. $300,000 to add one FTE ($80,000) and add one contract to establish a registry of all HIV-infected
hemophiliacs in the U.S. to monitor them for the occurrence of all types of cancers;
16. $1.5M for 4 new grants to develop directed therapies using cell specific targets expressed on the
surface of AIDS-related lymphomas;
17. $1.5M to set up an epidemiological network assessing risk factors for lymphoma, anal and cervical
carcinoma and unusual sarcomas in HIV-infected children, women and minorities;
18. $800,000 for 11 new for treatment of AIDS-related malignancies with new treatment modalities (e.g.
topoisomerase inhibitors, MAb-toxin conjugates, angiogenesis inhibitors, cytokine-toxin conjugates)
which will enter clinical trials over the next few years;
19. $150,000 for 1 neuropsychological testing study in AIDS patients under treatment;
20. $236,000 to add two FTEs for intramural research in the development of adoptive immunotherapy
with programmed T-cells in HIV-infected children;
21. $500,000 for 5 contracts for large-scale production of natural products for drug development;
22. $600,000 to fund one new contract to establish a biophysical chemistry laboratory at the Frederick
Cancer Research Facility;
23. $500,000 for three FTEs to develop new bioassays to isolate and chemically characterize new antiHIV lead compounds in the Natural Products Program;
24. $350,000 to expand the FCRF Laboratory of Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis;
25. $250,000 to expand the Southem Research Institute primary screening program;
26. $800,000 for 3 new grants investigating the neurodiagnosis of HIV complications;
27a. $1.125M for 4 new FTEs to investigate the basic immunology of autoimmunity and AIDS and
develop therapies using animal models;
27b. $1.25M to construct an addition to the existing animal facility for animal breeding (transgenic and

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