Human tests for hepatitis vaccine

A vaccine to prevent infection by the virus that causes the liver disease hepatitis C is to be tested on humans.

The trials, to be conducted by Saint Louis University, will test the safety and effectiveness of three different strengths of the vaccine.

It is estimated that 170m people world-wide are infected with hepatitis C, and that many more are at risk.

The virus, which can be passed through sexual contact or sharing drug equipment, can cause fatal liver problems.

Developing a vaccine is like trying to hit a moving target. Professor Graham Foster

Carriers may eventually need a liver transplant.

Lead researcher Dr Sharon Frey said: "There is currently no licensed vaccine to protect against the hepatitis C virus.

"Infection with hepatitis C virus is a major health problem throughout the world.

"A vaccine to prevent the infection would be an important breakthrough in controlling the spread of the virus."

Caution urged

Grant McNally, chairman of the UK Assembly on Hepatitis C, told BBC News Online an effective vaccine would be welcome.

But he warned that it should not lull people into a false sense of security. Avoiding unsafe sex, and sharing drug-taking equipment was still vital, he said, as a vaccine was probably still years away.

"The possibility of a vaccine is good news for people who are most at risk," he said.

"But we would be cautious. The virus which causes hepatitis C is multi-faceted, and very prone to mutation.

"There is not just one type of the virus, but a whole load of viruses within the same family that cause disease."

Helpful information

Professor Graham Foster, a consultant hepatologist at the Royal London Hospital, agreed that producing a vaccine for hepatitis C posed great problems.

He said:"Not only are their different strains of the virus, but lots of varients within the different strains, and once somebody is infected with the virus it can mutate within their body.

"Developing a vaccine is like trying to hit a moving target.

"We are all hopeful about this vaccine, but not optimistic. There a lots of problems to overcome.

"My feeling is that this could be a very important step on the way to a vaccine, but I would be surprised if it turns out to be the final answer.

"I suspect it will need tweaking to find the final approach, but this study will certainly produce a lot of helpful information."

The vaccine has been developed by US company the Chiron Corporation.