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Staged Phase I/II Hepatitis C Prophylactic Vaccine

A Staged Phase I/II Study, to Assess Safety, Efficacy and Immunogenicity of a New Hepatitis C Prophylactic Vaccine Based on Sequential Use of AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01436357
Enrollment
548
Registered
2011-09-19
Start date
2012-03-06
Completion date
2018-05-25
Last updated
2019-11-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hepatitis C

Keywords

AdCh3NSmut1, Hepatitis C, MVA-NSmut, vaccine

Brief summary

A two stage, phase I/II, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study of hepatitis C virus (HCV)uninfected male and female injection drug users (IDU) aged 18 to 45. AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSMut HCV vaccine will be administered to 68 (+/-4) volunteers in stage 1. A planned interim analysis of safety and immunogenicity will be conducted. If no safety signal is detected and there is evidence of a measurable immune response to HCV then 472 (+/-4) volunteers will be enrolled in stage 2. Primary objectives are to 1) assess the safety of AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut compared to placebo when administered to HCV-uninfected IDUs and 2) determine if AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut HCV vaccines will reduce incidence of chronic HCV infection compared to placebo among HCV-uninfected IDUs. Planned study duration is approx 63 months (accrual time, 2 months vaccination, 18 months follow-up, and 9 months extended observation for subjects becoming viremic in the last month of follow-up).

Detailed description

A two stage, phase I/II, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study of hepatitis C virus (HCV)uninfected male and female injection drug users (IDU) aged 18 to 45. In this clinical trial AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSMut HCV vaccine will be administered intramuscularly to 68 (+/-4) evaluable volunteers in stage 1. A planned interim analysis of safety and immunogenicity will be conducted based on data through 1 week after receipt of the second vaccination. If no safety signal is detected and there is evidence of a measurable immune response to HCV then an additional 472 (+/-4) volunteers will be enrolled in stage 2. The primary objectives of this study will be 1) to assess the safety of the new candidate hepatitis C virus vaccines, AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut, compared to placebo when administered to HCV-uninfected injection drug users (IDUs) and 2) to determine if AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut HCV vaccines will reduce incidence of chronic HCV infection compared to placebo among HCV-uninfected IDUs. The secondary objective of this study will be to evaluate the immunogenicity of the new candidate hepatitis C virus vaccines, AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut, compared to placebo when administered to HCV-uninfected IDUs.The planned duration of the study is approximately 63 months total including accrual time for subjects (assuming 31 months of screening/enrollments, plus 3 months of halted enrollment for the first interim analysis), 2 months vaccination, 18 months follow-up of each enrolled subject, and 9 months extended observation (monthly), from the time of infection, for subjects becoming viremic in the last month of follow-up.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALAdCh3NSmut1

Stages I and II: Receive AdCh3NSmut1 at 2.5 x 10\^10 total virus particles (vp)/dose, intramuscularly on day 0.

BIOLOGICALMVA-NSmut

Stages I and II: 1 dose of MVA-NSmut at the dosage 1.8 x10\^8 plaque forming units (pfu) intramuscularly on day 56.

OTHERPlacebo

Stages I and II: Two doses of placebo intramuscularly, 1 at day 0 and 1 at day 56.

Sponsors

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Lead SponsorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

\- Comprehension of informed consent. - 18-45 year old men or women with acknowledged active IDU in the past 90 days and have no travel plans that would interfere with ability to meet the study visit schedule. - In good general health as determined by a participating study physician and results within acceptable ranges for clinical laboratory evaluations as detailed in Appendix A. - Negative for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). - Negative for HCV RNA. - Negative antibodies to HIV. - Negative for HBsAg. - Able and willing (in the Investigator's opinion) to comply with all study requirements. - Willing to allow the investigators access to their medical records. - Willingness to practice continuous effective contraception from the screening visit through 90 days after the last vaccination (males and females). - Among females, a negative pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to vaccination. - Agreement to refrain from blood donation during the course of the study or after the study. - Provide written informed consent prior to initiation of any study procedures. - Willing to provide contact information for study follow-up activities, including the address, name and contact information of three people who can be contacted to facilitate follow-up compliance.

Exclusion criteria

\- The subject is currently participating in a study that involves an experimental agent (vaccine, drug, biologic device, blood product, or medication) or has received an experimental agent within 30 days prior to enrollment in this study, or expects to receive another experimental agent during participation in this study. - Prior receipt of a recombinant simian or human adenoviral vaccine or MVA vaccine. - Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the 90 days preceding the planned administration of the vaccine candidate. - Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state, including: HIV infection; asplenia; recurrent, severe infections. - History of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the vaccine (i.e., known hypersensitivity to aminoglycosideantibiotics or to egg proteins). - History of clinically significant contact dermatitis or other significant dermatological conditions such as psoriasis. - Any history of anaphylaxis in reaction to vaccination. - Pregnancy, lactation or willingness/intention to become pregnant during the study. - History of cancer (except for successfully treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin and cervical carcinoma in situ). - History of severe psychiatric illness, including severe depression, history of suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, or psychosis requiring medication. The subject has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bi-polar disease, or other severe (disabling) chronic psychiatric diagnosis that is uncontrolled and would interfere with the ability to adhere to the protocol. - Any other serious chronic illness requiring hospital specialist supervision. - Suspected or known current alcohol abuse as defined by a score of 10 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) C test (a standardized screening tool used to identify hazardous drinkers or those with active alcohol use disorders, including abuse or dependence). - At high risk of HIV infection by the following criteria (adapted from HIV Network for Prevention Trials (HIVNET) behavioral criteria for high risk of HIV): (1) sexually active male who has sex with men (MSM), defined as (i) male who has had anal sex with male sexual partner or partners in the past year or (ii) a male who exchanged sex with male partner(s) for money or drugs in the past year; and (2) female and in a current relationship with a high risk male (active MSM, HIV positive male). - Any other significant disease, disorder or finding, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, may influence the result of the study, or may influence the subject's ability to participate in the study. - History of or current diagnosis of Diabetes mellitus. - History of or current diagnosis of autoimmune disease. - History of or current cardiac disease including history of myocardial infarction or arrhythmia. - Current diagnosis of active liver disease. - History of seizure disorder or currently taking anti-convulsant therapy that would interfere with safety evaluation. - Uncontrolled hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure being greater than 140mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure being greater than 90mm Hg). - History of splenectomy. - Long term immunosuppressive use (defined as taken for 14 days or more in total at any time during the past 180 days) of high dose oral or parenteral glucocorticoids (high dose defined as prednisone \>/=20 mg total daily dose, or equivalent dose of other glucocorticoids); or high-dose inhaled steroids (high dose defined as \>800 mcg/day of beclomethasone dipropionate or equ ivalent); or any use of hepatotoxic or non-FDA approved medication. - Have an acute illness, including an oral temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, within 7 days prior to the first vaccination. - Immunization against another pathogen within 14 days of planned injection. Second vaccination

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With Clinical Safety Laboratory Adverse Events (AEs) at 1 Month After Second Vaccination1 month after second vaccinationBlood was collected at baseline and 1 month after each vaccination for assessment of alanine transferase (ALT) (SGPT), creatinine, hemoglobin, platelets, and white blood cells (WBC). A laboratory AE was defined for ALT as greater than 1.25 times the upper limit of normal. A laboratory AE was defined for creatinine as greater than or equal to 1.2 times the upper limit of normal (as appropriate for age and sex). A laboratory AE was defined for hemoglobin as less that or equal to 12.4 g/dl for males and less than or equal to 10.8 g/dl for females. A laboratory AE was defined for platelets as less than or equal to 117,000 per cumm. A laboratory AE was defined for WBC as less than or equal to 2.9 thou/mcl or greater than or equal to 11.9 thou/mcl.
Number of Participants With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection at 6 Months6 monthsChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was defined by persistent viremia over a period of 6 months after initial detection of primary infection.
Number of Participants With Clinical Safety Laboratory Adverse Events (AEs) at 1 Month After First Vaccination1 month after first vaccinationBlood was collected at baseline and 1 month after each vaccination for assessment of alanine transferase (ALT) (SGPT), creatinine, hemoglobin, platelets, and white blood cells (WBC). A laboratory AE was defined for ALT as greater than 1.25 times the upper limit of normal. A laboratory AE was defined for creatinine as greater than or equal to 1.2 times the upper limit of normal (as appropriate for age and sex). A laboratory AE was defined for hemoglobin as less that or equal to 12.4 g/dl for males and less than or equal to 10.8 g/dl for females. A laboratory AE was defined for platelets as less than or equal to 117,000 per cumm. A laboratory AE was defined for WBC as less than or equal to 2.9 thou/mcl or greater than or equal to 11.9 thou/mcl.
Number of Participants With Severe Local and/or Systemic Solicited Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms in the 8 Days (Day 0-7) After Second Vaccination7 days after second vaccinationParticipants recorded temperature and the presence and intensity of post-vaccination reactogenicity events daily on an 8-day memory aid. Local solicited reactogenicity events included pain, tenderness, erythema, induration and warmth at the injection site. Systemic solicited reactogenicity events included fever, chills, arthralgia/joint pain, malaise/fatigue, myalgia/body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Severe was defined as events interrupt a subject's usual daily activity and may require systemic drug therapy or other treatment. Severe events are usually incapacitating. Measured erythema and induration of \>50 mm and oral temperature \>40.0 degrees Celsius were considered severe.
Number of Participants With Severe Local and/or Systemic Solicited Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms in the 8 Days (Day 0-7) After First Vaccination7 days after first vaccinationParticipants recorded temperature and the presence and intensity of post-vaccination reactogenicity events daily on an 8-day memory aid. Local solicited reactogenicity events included pain, tenderness, erythema, induration and warmth at the injection site. Systemic solicited reactogenicity events included fever, chills, arthralgia/joint pain, malaise/fatigue, myalgia/body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Severe was defined as events interrupt a subject's usual daily activity and may require systemic drug therapy or other treatment. Severe events are usually incapacitating. Measured erythema and induration of \>50 mm and oral temperature \>40.0 degrees Celsius were considered severe.
Occurrence of Vaccine-related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) From the Time of First Vaccination Through the Entire Study PeriodDay 0 to 29 monthsThe occurrence of SAEs was assessed at every study visit. The occurrence of SAEs may also have come to the attention of the investigator by secondary contacts of the participant when they did not present for study visits. Relationship to vaccine was assessed by the site investigator.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With Positive Cell Mediated Immune ResponseWithin 14 days after the last vaccination (Day 56)Cell mediated immune response was measured by interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production by T-cells against each of the six HCV genotype 1b peptide pools in the vaccine. Positivity was defined as i) more than 48 spot forming cells per million PBMC; and ii) at least three times the mean background spots per million PBMC found in ELISpot wells containing cells and peptide diluent (DMSO). A participant was considered a responder if a positive response to at least one in 6 mixtures (pools) of peptides was detected.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

People who are actively injecting drugs who are at high risk for HCV infection, negative for HCV antibodies and HCV RNA at screening, were recruited at 3 clinical sites experienced in recruiting and retaining people who inject drugs in prospective studies. Participants were enrolled between 19MAR2012 and 28OCT2016.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmut
One dose of AdCh3NSmut1 at 2.5 x 10\^10 total virus particles (vp)/dose at day 0 followed by 1 dose of MVA-NSmut intramuscularly 56 days later at the dosage 1.8 x10\^8 plaque forming units (pfu).
274
Sodium Chloride Placebo
Two doses of sodium chloride placebo intramuscularly, 1 at day 0 and 1 at day 56.
274
Total548

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyDeath51
Overall StudyEnrolled but not vaccinated11
Overall StudyIncarceration1820
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up6761
Overall StudyMoved out of area12
Overall StudyPhysician Decision34
Overall StudyProtocol Violation10
Overall StudySubject in rehab01
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject2638

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSodium Chloride PlaceboAdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmutTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
274 Participants274 Participants548 Participants
Age, Continuous30.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.2
31.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.3
30.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.2
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
39 Participants40 Participants79 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
235 Participants234 Participants469 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
IL28B Status
CC
111 Participants111 Participants222 Participants
IL28B Status
CT/TT
163 Participants163 Participants326 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
2 Participants7 Participants9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
4 Participants2 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
51 Participants62 Participants113 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
30 Participants33 Participants63 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
12 Participants9 Participants21 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
175 Participants159 Participants334 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
274 participants274 participants548 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
62 Participants60 Participants122 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
212 Participants214 Participants426 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
5 / 2742 / 272
other
Total, other adverse events
229 / 274172 / 272
serious
Total, serious adverse events
40 / 27425 / 272

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Participants With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection at 6 Months

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was defined by persistent viremia over a period of 6 months after initial detection of primary infection.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: All randomized are included as treated (one participant randomized to placebo received vaccine) with the following censoring criteria applied: did not receive both vaccinations, HCV infected at baseline, did not have sufficient follow-up to be evaluable for efficacy, or had major protocol deviations compromising the assessment of vaccine efficacy.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmutNumber of Participants With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection at 6 Months14 Participants
Sodium Chloride PlaceboNumber of Participants With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection at 6 Months14 Participants
p-value: 0.31795% CI: [0.661, 3.535]Regression, Cox
Primary

Number of Participants With Clinical Safety Laboratory Adverse Events (AEs) at 1 Month After First Vaccination

Blood was collected at baseline and 1 month after each vaccination for assessment of alanine transferase (ALT) (SGPT), creatinine, hemoglobin, platelets, and white blood cells (WBC). A laboratory AE was defined for ALT as greater than 1.25 times the upper limit of normal. A laboratory AE was defined for creatinine as greater than or equal to 1.2 times the upper limit of normal (as appropriate for age and sex). A laboratory AE was defined for hemoglobin as less that or equal to 12.4 g/dl for males and less than or equal to 10.8 g/dl for females. A laboratory AE was defined for platelets as less than or equal to 117,000 per cumm. A laboratory AE was defined for WBC as less than or equal to 2.9 thou/mcl or greater than or equal to 11.9 thou/mcl.

Time frame: 1 month after first vaccination

Population: The safety analysis population includes all participants with blood collected at the timepoint summarized. Participants are analyzed as treated.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmutNumber of Participants With Clinical Safety Laboratory Adverse Events (AEs) at 1 Month After First Vaccination70 Participants
Sodium Chloride PlaceboNumber of Participants With Clinical Safety Laboratory Adverse Events (AEs) at 1 Month After First Vaccination48 Participants
p-value: 0.02995% CI: [-0.01, 0.16]Fisher Exact
Primary

Number of Participants With Clinical Safety Laboratory Adverse Events (AEs) at 1 Month After Second Vaccination

Blood was collected at baseline and 1 month after each vaccination for assessment of alanine transferase (ALT) (SGPT), creatinine, hemoglobin, platelets, and white blood cells (WBC). A laboratory AE was defined for ALT as greater than 1.25 times the upper limit of normal. A laboratory AE was defined for creatinine as greater than or equal to 1.2 times the upper limit of normal (as appropriate for age and sex). A laboratory AE was defined for hemoglobin as less that or equal to 12.4 g/dl for males and less than or equal to 10.8 g/dl for females. A laboratory AE was defined for platelets as less than or equal to 117,000 per cumm. A laboratory AE was defined for WBC as less than or equal to 2.9 thou/mcl or greater than or equal to 11.9 thou/mcl.

Time frame: 1 month after second vaccination

Population: The safety analysis population includes all participants with blood collected at the timepoint summarized. Participants are analyzed as treated.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmutNumber of Participants With Clinical Safety Laboratory Adverse Events (AEs) at 1 Month After Second Vaccination73 Participants
Sodium Chloride PlaceboNumber of Participants With Clinical Safety Laboratory Adverse Events (AEs) at 1 Month After Second Vaccination49 Participants
p-value: 0.01595% CI: [0.01, 0.2]Fisher Exact
Primary

Number of Participants With Severe Local and/or Systemic Solicited Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms in the 8 Days (Day 0-7) After First Vaccination

Participants recorded temperature and the presence and intensity of post-vaccination reactogenicity events daily on an 8-day memory aid. Local solicited reactogenicity events included pain, tenderness, erythema, induration and warmth at the injection site. Systemic solicited reactogenicity events included fever, chills, arthralgia/joint pain, malaise/fatigue, myalgia/body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Severe was defined as events interrupt a subject's usual daily activity and may require systemic drug therapy or other treatment. Severe events are usually incapacitating. Measured erythema and induration of \>50 mm and oral temperature \>40.0 degrees Celsius were considered severe.

Time frame: 7 days after first vaccination

Population: The safety analysis population includes all participants receiving the vaccination for whom data were available. Participants are analyzed as treated.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmutNumber of Participants With Severe Local and/or Systemic Solicited Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms in the 8 Days (Day 0-7) After First Vaccination0 Participants
Sodium Chloride PlaceboNumber of Participants With Severe Local and/or Systemic Solicited Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms in the 8 Days (Day 0-7) After First Vaccination0 Participants
p-value: 0Fisher Exact
Primary

Number of Participants With Severe Local and/or Systemic Solicited Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms in the 8 Days (Day 0-7) After Second Vaccination

Participants recorded temperature and the presence and intensity of post-vaccination reactogenicity events daily on an 8-day memory aid. Local solicited reactogenicity events included pain, tenderness, erythema, induration and warmth at the injection site. Systemic solicited reactogenicity events included fever, chills, arthralgia/joint pain, malaise/fatigue, myalgia/body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Severe was defined as events interrupt a subject's usual daily activity and may require systemic drug therapy or other treatment. Severe events are usually incapacitating. Measured erythema and induration of \>50 mm and oral temperature \>40.0 degrees Celsius were considered severe.

Time frame: 7 days after second vaccination

Population: The safety analysis population includes all participants receiving the vaccination for whom data were available. Participants are analyzed as treated.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmutNumber of Participants With Severe Local and/or Systemic Solicited Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms in the 8 Days (Day 0-7) After Second Vaccination2 Participants
Sodium Chloride PlaceboNumber of Participants With Severe Local and/or Systemic Solicited Reactogenicity Signs and Symptoms in the 8 Days (Day 0-7) After Second Vaccination0 Participants
p-value: 0.49995% CI: [-0.08, 0.1]Fisher Exact
Primary

Occurrence of Vaccine-related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) From the Time of First Vaccination Through the Entire Study Period

The occurrence of SAEs was assessed at every study visit. The occurrence of SAEs may also have come to the attention of the investigator by secondary contacts of the participant when they did not present for study visits. Relationship to vaccine was assessed by the site investigator.

Time frame: Day 0 to 29 months

Population: The safety analysis population excludes 1 participant who was not vaccinated. Participants are analyzed as treated.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmutOccurrence of Vaccine-related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) From the Time of First Vaccination Through the Entire Study Period0 Participants
Sodium Chloride PlaceboOccurrence of Vaccine-related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) From the Time of First Vaccination Through the Entire Study Period0 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Positive Cell Mediated Immune Response

Cell mediated immune response was measured by interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production by T-cells against each of the six HCV genotype 1b peptide pools in the vaccine. Positivity was defined as i) more than 48 spot forming cells per million PBMC; and ii) at least three times the mean background spots per million PBMC found in ELISpot wells containing cells and peptide diluent (DMSO). A participant was considered a responder if a positive response to at least one in 6 mixtures (pools) of peptides was detected.

Time frame: Within 14 days after the last vaccination (Day 56)

Population: The population for this outcome included all participants who received both vaccinations and had immunogenicity data available. Participants are analyzed as treated. Data collected post-HCV infection were excluded from this analysis.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
AdCh3NSmut1 and MVA-NSmutNumber of Participants With Positive Cell Mediated Immune Response97 Participants
Sodium Chloride PlaceboNumber of Participants With Positive Cell Mediated Immune Response4 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 20, 2026