Chikungunya virus virus-like particle vaccine is well tolerated and immunogenic in chikungunya seropositive individuals.

In a phase 2 safety and immunogenicity study of a chikungunya virus virus-like particle (CHIKV VLP) vaccine in an endemic region, of 400 total participants, 78 were found to be focus reduction neutralizing antibody seropositive at vaccination despite being ELISA seronegative at screening, of which 39 received vaccine. This post hoc analysis compared safety and immunogenicity of CHIKV VLP vaccine in seropositive (n = 39) versus seronegative (n = 155) vaccine recipients for 72 weeks post-vaccination. There were no differences in solicited adverse events, except injection site swelling in 10.3% of seropositive versus 0.6% of seronegative recipients (p = 0.006). Baseline seropositive vaccine recipients had stronger post-vaccination luciferase neutralizing antibody responses versus seronegative recipients (peak geometric mean titer of 3594 and 1728, respectively) persisting for 72 weeks, with geometric mean fold increases of 3.1 and 13.2, respectively. In this small study, CHIKV VLP vaccine was well-tolerated and immunogenic in individuals with pre-existing immunity. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02562482.

Immunogenicity of partial doses of live oral cholera vaccine CVD 103-HgR in children in the United States.

In a phase 4, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-center study performed to assess the immunogenicity of a single oral dose of live, attenuated cholera vaccine, volunteers aged 2-17 years were randomized 6:1 to receive 1 × 109 colony forming units of PXVX0200 or placebo. In the subset of subjects who consumed < 80 % of the vaccine dose, seroconversion rates were calculated and stratified by amount consumed. Of 468 subjects dosed, a subset of 33 (7 %) received < 80 % of the vaccine dose. SVA seroconversion occurred in 75.8 % of these subjects, including 100 % (7/7) of those who took 50-80 % and 69.2 % (18/26) of those who took < 50 %, versus 98.5 % of those who consumed 80 % or more. Vaccination with PXVX0200 produced an immune response in most children who received partial dosing. Since SVA seroconversion is a strong correlate of protection, PXVX0200 may protect against cholera infection in children who ingest only part of the vaccine dose.

Safety and immunogenicity of PXVX0317, an aluminium hydroxide-adjuvanted chikungunya virus-like particle vaccine: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease is an ongoing public health threat. We aimed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of PXVX0317, an aluminium hydroxide-adjuvanted formulation of a CHIKV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine. METHODS: This randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, phase 2 trial was conducted at three clinical trial centres in the USA. Eligible participants were healthy CHIKV-naïve adults aged 18-45 years. Participants were stratified by site and randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1) to one of the eight vaccination groups using a block size of 16. Group 1 received two doses of unadjuvanted PXVX0317 28 days apart (2 × 20 µg; standard); all other groups received adjuvanted PXVX0317: groups 2-4 received two doses 28 days apart (2 × 6 µg [group 2], 2 × 10 µg [group 3], or 2 × 20 µg [group 4]; standard); group 4 also received a booster dose 18 months after the first active injection (40 µg; standard plus booster); groups 5-7 received two doses 14 days apart (2 × 6 µg [group 5], 2 × 10 µg [group 6], or 2 × 20 µg [group 7]; accelerated); and group 8 received one dose (1 × 40 µg; single). The primary endpoint was the geometric mean titre of anti-CHIKV neutralising antibody on day 57 (28 days after the last vaccination), assessed in the immunogenicity-evaluable population. Additionally, we assessed safety. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03483961. FINDINGS: This trial was conducted from April 18, 2018, to Sept 21, 2020; 468 participants were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 415 participants were randomly assigned to eight groups (n=53 in groups 1, 5, and 6; n=52 in groups 2 and 8; n=51 in groups 3 and 7; and n=50 in group 4) and 373 were evaluable for immunogenicity. On day 57, serum neutralising antibody geometric mean titres were 2057·0 (95% CI 1584·8-2670·0) in group 1, 1116·2 (852·5-1461·4; p=0·0015 vs group 1 used as a reference) in group 2, 1465·3 (1119·1-1918·4; p=0·076) in group 3, 2023·8 (1550·5-2641·7; p=0·93) in group 4, 920·1 (710·9-1190·9; p<0·0001) in group 5, 1206·9 (932·4-1562·2; p=0·0045) in group 6, 1562·8 (1204·1-2028·3; p=0·14) in group 7, and 1712·5 (1330·0-2205·0; p=0·32) in group 8. In group 4, a booster dose increased serum neutralising antibody geometric mean titres from 215·7 (95% CI 160·9-289·1) on day 547 to 10 941·1 (7378·0-16 225·1) on day 575. Durability of the immune response (evaluated in groups 1, 4, and 8) was shown up to 2 years. The most common solicited adverse event was pain at the injection site, reported in 12 (23%) of 53 participants who received the unadjuvanted vaccine (group 1) and 111 (31%) of 356 who received the adjuvanted vaccine. No vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported. INTERPRETATION: PXVX0317 was well tolerated and induced a robust and durable serum neutralising antibody immune response against CHIKV up to 2 years. A single 40 µg injection of adjuvanted PXVX0317 is being further investigated in phase 3 clinical trials (NCT05072080 and NCT05349617). FUNDING: Emergent BioSolutions.

Update on CVD 103-HgR single-dose, live oral cholera vaccine.

Cholera remains endemic in >50 countries, putting millions at risk, especially young children for whom killed vaccines offer limited protection. An oral, live attenuated vaccine - CVD 103-HgR (Vaxchora vaccine) - was licensed by the US FDA in 2016 for adults aged 18-64 years traveling to endemic regions, based on clinical trials in human volunteers showing the vaccine was well tolerated and conferred 90% efficacy within 10 days. The evidence base for Vaxchora vaccine has expanded with additional clinical trial data, in older adults (aged 46-64 years) and children (aged 2-17 years), demonstrating that the vaccine produces a strong vibriocidal antibody response. Over 68,000 doses have been administered in the United States, with no new safety signals. The dose volume has been reduced in children to improve acceptability, and cold chain requirements are less st ringent, at +2°C─+8°C. The vaccine has recently been licensed in the Untied States for children aged 2-17 years, in Europe for individuals aged ≥2 years, and for home administration in Europe. Next steps include a Phase 4 study in infants (6-23 months). Additional information is needed regarding duration of immunity, the need for and timing of revaccination, and efficacy data from lower-middle-income countries.

Long-Term Immunogenicity of Live Oral Cholera Vaccine CVD 103-HgR in Adolescents Aged 12-17 Years in the United States.

As part of a phase 4, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the immunogenicity and safety of PXVX0200 in children and adolescents aged 2-17 years, a subset of 73 adolescent subjects aged 12-17 years was followed for 2 years after vaccination and had blood collected for antibody assays on days 1, 11, 29, 91, 181, 365, 547, and 730. Endpoints included serum vibriocidal antibody (SVA) seroconversion, defined as a 4-fold or greater rise in antibody titer over baseline; geometric mean titers (GMTs); and geometric mean fold increase (GMFI) over baseline. Serum vibriocidal antibody seroconversion persisted in most subjects, with a rate of 64.5% noted at day 730. Geometric mean titers and GMFI both peaked at day 11 and remained greater than baseline at all time points, including day 730. Vaccination with PXVX0200 produces an immune response which persists for at least 2 years in adolescents aged 12-17 years.

Safety and Immunogenicity of Live Oral Cholera Vaccine CVD 103-HgR in Children Aged 2-5 Years in the United States.

In a phase 4, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study, to assess the safety and immunogenicity of live, attenuated cholera vaccine PXVX0200 in children aged 2-5 years in the United States, 172 volunteers were randomized 6:1 to receive a single dose of 1 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) of PXVX0200 or placebo. Immunogenicity endpoints included serum vibriocidal antibody (SVA) levels on days 1, 11, and 29. Safety was assessed by comparing solicited signs and symptoms on days 1-8, unsolicited adverse events through day 29, and serious adverse events (SAEs) through day 181. The SVA seroconversion rates 10 days after immunization were 98.1% and 0% in vaccine and placebo recipients, respectively, and the vaccine seroconversion rate was non-inferior to the 93.5% rate seen in the bridging population of adults aged 18-45 years from a lot consistency study. Most reactogenicity was mild to moderate, and there were no study-related SAEs. PXVX0200 appears safe and immunogenic in children aged 2-5 years.

Safety and Immunogenicity of Live Oral Cholera Vaccine CVD 103-HgR in Children and Adolescents Aged 6-17 Years.

The attenuated recombinant Vibrio cholerae O1 vaccine strain CVD 103-HgR, redeveloped as PXVX0200, elicits a rapid serum vibriocidal antibody (SVA) response and protects against cholera-induced diarrhea in adult volunteer challenge trials but has not been studied in children in developed countries. We performed a phase 4, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study to assess the safety, immunogenicity, and tolerability of a single, oral dose of PXVX0200 in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in the United States and bridged immunogenicity to adults aged 18-45 years from a separate lot consistency study. Volunteers were randomized to receive a single dose of 1 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) of PXVX0200 or placebo. Immunogenicity endpoints included SVA levels on days 1, 11, and 29 in volunteers aged 6-17 years and also on days 91 and 181 in volunteers aged 12-17 years. Safety was assessed by comparing solicited signs and symptoms on days 1-8, unsolicited adverse events (AEs) through day 29, and serious AEs through day 181. A total of 374 participants were enrolled, comprising 321 vaccine and 53 placebo recipients. The SVA seroconversion rates 10 days after immunization were 98.6% and 2.1% in vaccine and placebo recipients, respectively, and the vaccine seroconversion rate was non-inferior to the 93.5% rate seen in adults aged 18-45 years. Most reactogenicity was mild to moderate, and there were no vaccine-related serious AEs. The complete dose was consumed in 95.3% and 98.1% of vaccine and placebo recipients, respectively. PXVX0200 appears safe, immunogenic, and well tolerated in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years.

A randomized, observer-blind Phase Ib study to identify formulations and vaccine schedules of a trivalent Group B Streptococcus vaccine for use in non-pregnant and pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in early infancy. Substantial data demonstrate that women with higher levels of circulating antibody against the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) deliver infants at reduced risk of GBS infection, which serves as the basis for vaccine design. This study evaluates two different dosages, two injection schedules and three formulations of an investigational trivalent (serotypes Ia, Ib and III) CRM197-glycoconjugate GBS vaccine in healthy, non-pregnant women. METHODS: 678 healthy non-pregnant women received one or two injections of one of two dosages (5/5/5 µg or 20/20/20 µg) of the investigational vaccine, formulated with or without aluminum hydroxide (Enrollment Group 1), or with full or half dosages of MF59(®) (Enrollment Group 2); or a placebo (Enrollment Groups 1 and 2). Geometric mean serotype-specific antibody concentrations (GMCs) at Days 61 (Enrollment Group 1) and 361 (both Groups) were analyzed to select a formulation suitable for pregnant or non-pregnant women, respectively. Solicited adverse reactions were recorded up to Day 7 and adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the study. RESULTS: Rates of reported AEs were similar across all groups. Higher rates of local reactogenicity were seen in adjuvanted vaccine groups compared with non-adjuvanted vaccine (or placebo) groups. All vaccine groups elicited higher GMCs than placebo; differences between treatments were not statistically significant, indicating no additional potential benefit of higher antigen content, addition of adjuvant, or a second dose. CONCLUSIONS: All GBS vaccine formulations induced a persistent antibody response and showed similar immunogenicity profiles (NCT01150123).

Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent meningococcal polysaccharide CRM conjugate vaccine in infants and toddlers.

OBJECTIVES: This phase III study assessed the safety and immunogenicity of MenACWY-CRM, a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, administered with routine vaccines starting at 2 months of age. METHODS: Healthy infants received MenACWY-CRM in a two- or three-dose primary infant series plus a single toddler dose. In addition, a two-dose toddler catch-up series was evaluated. Immune responses to MenACWY-CRM were assessed for serum bactericidal activity with human complement (hSBA). Reactogenicity and safety results were collected systematically. RESULTS: After a full infant/toddler series or two-dose toddler catch-up series, MenACWY-CRM elicited immune responses against the four serogroups in 94-100% of subjects. Noninferiority of the two- versus three-dose MenACWY-CRM infant dosing regimen was established for geometric mean titers for all serogroups. Following the three-dose infant primary series, 89-98% of subjects achieved an hSBA ≥ 8 across all serogroups. Immune responses to concomitant routine vaccines given with MenACWY-CRM were noninferior to responses to routine vaccines alone, except for pertactin after the two-dose infant series. Noninferiority criteria were met for all concomitant antigens after the three-dose infant series. CONCLUSIONS: MenACWY-CRM vaccination regimens in infants and toddlers were immunogenic and well tolerated. No clinically meaningful effects of concomitant administration with routine infant and toddler vaccines were observed.

Immunogenicity and safety of a CRM-conjugated meningococcal ACWY vaccine administered concomitantly with routine vaccines starting at 2 months of age.

BACKGROUND: Infants are at the highest risk for meningococcal disease and a broadly protective and safe vaccine is an unmet need in this youngest population. We evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a 4-dose infant/toddler regimen of MenACWY-CRM given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of age concomitantly with pentavalent diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-Hemophilus influenzae type b-inactivated poliovirus-combination vaccine (DTaP-IPV/Hib), hepatitis B vaccine (HBV), 7- or 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV), and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR). RESULTS: Four doses of MenACWY-CRM induced hSBA titers ≥8 in 89%, 95%, 97%, and 96% of participants against serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y, respectively. hSBA titers ≥8 were present in 76-98% of participants after the first 3 doses. A categorical linear analysis incorporating vaccine group and study center showed responses to routine vaccines administered with MenACWY-CRM were non-inferior to routine vaccines alone, except for seroresponse to the pertussis antigen fimbriae. The reactogenicity profile was not affected when MenACWY-CRM was administered concomitantly with routine vaccines. CONCLUSION: MenACWY-CRM administered with routine concomitant vaccinations in young infants was well tolerated and induced highly immunogenic responses against each of the serogroups without significant interference with the immune responses to routine infant vaccinations. METHODS: Healthy 2 month old infants were randomized to receive MenACWY-CRM with routine vaccines (n = 258) or routine vaccines alone (n = 271). Immunogenicity was assessed by serum bactericidal assay using human complement (hSBA). Medically attended adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs) and AEs leading to study withdrawal were collected throughout the study period.

Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine administered concomitantly with measles, mumps, rubella, varicella vaccine in healthy toddlers.

BACKGROUND: Invasive meningococcal disease can have devastating outcomes, especially in high-risk groups such as infants. As infants are recommended to receive multiple vaccines during a single office visit, this phase 3 study assessed the safety and immune response to MenACWY-CRM at alternative visits in older infants and concomitant use with measles, mumps, rubella, varicella vaccine (MMRV) at 12 months of age. METHODS: Two age groups were concurrently enrolled: 7- to 9-month-old infants who received 2 doses of MenACWY-CRM at 7-9 and 12 months and were randomized 1:1 to receive MenACWY-CRM with or without MMRV at 12 months, and 12-month-old infants who received MMRV only at 12 months. Using predefined non-inferiority criteria, immune responses to the antigens in MMRV were compared between those who did and did not receive MenACWY-CRM; immune responses to MenACWY-CRM as measured by the percentage of subjects with human serum bactericidal activity (hSBA) titers ≥ 8, were compared between those who did and did not receive concomitant MMRV. Adequacy of the immune response to 2 doses of MenACWY-CRM administered at 7-9 and 12 months was also assessed. Local and systemic reactions, adverse events resulting in withdrawal or requiring medical attention and serious adverse events were monitored. RESULTS: Concomitant administration of MMRV with MenACWY-CRM did not affect the immune response to either vaccine. The 2-dose series of MenACWY-CRM induced adequate immune response to all 4 serogroups. No increased reactogenicity was observed with MenACWY-CRM+MMRV compared with MMRV alone, and there were no study-related serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant administration of MenACWY-CRM with MMRV vaccinations at 12 months was well-tolerated, without safety concerns. Robust immune responses to all components of both vaccines were produced and all criteria for non-inferiority were met, supporting the use of a 2-dose regimen of MenACWY-CRM in this age group.

Safety and immunogenicity of a novel quadrivalent meningococcal CRM-conjugate vaccine given concomitantly with routine vaccinations in infants.

BACKGROUND: In phase II studies, MenACWY-CRM elicited robust immunologic responses in young infants. We now present results from our pivotal phase III infant immunogenicity/safety study. METHODS: In this open-label phase III study, we randomized full-term 2-month-old infants to 4 doses of MenACWY-CRM coadministered with routine vaccines at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of age or with routine vaccines alone. We monitored for local and systemic reactions and serious adverse events among all study participants and evaluated for sufficiency of the immune responses to MenACWY-CRM through serum bactericidal activity assay with human complement. RESULTS: Bactericidal antibodies were present in 94% to 100% of subjects against each of the serogroups in MenACWY-CRM after the 4-dose series and were 67% to 97% after the first 3 doses. Geometric mean titers were higher after the fourth dose of MenACWY-CRM compared with a single dose of MenACWY-CRM at 12 months of age for all serogroups (range of ratios, 4.5-38). Responses to 3 doses of routine vaccines coadministered with MenACWY-CRM were noninferior to routine vaccinations alone, except for small differences in pneumococcal serotype 6B responses after dose 3 but not dose 4 and pertactin after dose 3. Inclusion of MenACWY-CRM did not affect the safety or reactogenicity profiles of the routine infant vaccine series. CONCLUSIONS: A 4-dose series of MenACWY-CRM was highly immunogenic and well tolerated in young infants, and it can be coadministered with routine infant vaccines. Substantial immunity was conferred after the first 3 doses administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.

Comparison of the safety and immunogenicity of an investigational and a licensed quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine in children 2-10 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Routine administration of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine to adolescents and certain high risk groups is recommended in the United States and Canada. We compared the immunogenicity and safety of an investigational quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine conjugated to CRM-197 (MenACWY-CRM) with a licensed quadrivalent vaccine conjugated to diphtheria toxoid (MCV4) in children aged 2-10 years. METHODS: Eligible 2-5-year-olds were randomized 1:2:2 to receive either 2 doses of MenACWY-CRM, or 1 dose of MenACWY-CRM or MCV4; 6-10-year-olds were randomized 1:1 to receive a single dose of MenACWY-CRM or MCV4. The primary immunogenicity assessment was seroresponse separately for the two age cohorts 28 days following a single dose of MenACWY-CRM or MCV4. Noninferiority and superiority criteria were predefined. Solicited injection-site and systemic reactions were collected for the 7 days postvaccination. RESULTS: A total of 2907 children were randomized to receive study vaccine. MenACWY-CRM met statistical superiority criteria vs. MCV4 for groups W and Y and was noninferior for group C in both age strata. For group A, noninferiority criteria were not met; the group A seroresponse rates for MenACWY-CRM and MCV4, respectively were 72% (95% confidence interval 68-75%) and 77% (73-80%) in 2-5-year-olds and 77% (73-80%) and 83% (79-86%) in 6-10-year-olds. When the two age strata were combined (2-10-year-old children), MenACWY-CRM was noninferior to MCV4 for all four groups, and statistically superior for groups C, W, and Y. Safety parameters were similar across age cohorts and vaccines groups. CONCLUSIONS: MenACWY-CRM and MCV4 were immunogenic and well tolerated in children aged 2-10 years. Seroresponse to MenACWY-CRM was statistically noninferior to MCV4 for all groups, and statistically superior for groups C, W, and Y. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00616421.

Quadrivalent meningococcal vaccination of adults: phase III comparison of an investigational conjugate vaccine, MenACWY-CRM, with the licensed vaccine, Menactra.

Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States, with the highest case fatality rates reported for individuals > or = 15 years of age. This study compares the safety and immunogenicity of the Novartis Vaccines investigational quadrivalent meningococcal CRM(197) conjugate vaccine, MenACWY-CRM, to those of the licensed meningococcal conjugate vaccine, Menactra, when administered to healthy adults. In this phase III multicenter study, 1,359 adults 19 to 55 years of age were randomly assigned to one of four groups (1:1:1:1 ratio) to receive a single dose of one of three lots of MenACWY-CRM or a single dose of Menactra. Serum samples obtained at baseline and 1 month postvaccination were tested for serogroup-specific serum bactericidal activity using human complement (hSBA). The hSBA titers following vaccination with MenACWY-CRM and Menactra were compared in noninferiority and prespecified superiority analyses. Reactogenicity was similar in the MenACWY-CRM and Menactra groups, and neither vaccine was associated with a serious adverse event. When compared with Menactra, MenACWY-CRM met the superiority criteria for the proportions of recipients achieving a seroresponse against serogroups C, W-135, and Y and the proportion of subjects achieving postvaccination titers of > or = 1:8 for serogroups C and Y. MenACWY-CRM's immunogenicity was statistically noninferior (the lower limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval was more than -10%) to that of Menactra for all four serogroups, with the postvaccination hSBA geometric mean titers being consistently higher for MenACWY-CRM than for Menactra. MenACWY-CRM is well tolerated in adults 19 to 55 years of age, with immune responses to each of the serogroups noninferior and, in some cases, statistically superior to those to Menactra.

Phase III comparison of an investigational quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine with the licensed meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccine in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Neisseria meningitidis is an important cause of invasive bacterial infection in the United States, and disease rates are higher for adolescents than for the general population. Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for routine vaccination of adolescents and high-risk groups. This study compares the safety and immunogenicity of the Novartis Vaccines investigational quadrivalent meningococcal CRM(197) conjugate vaccine, MenACWY-CRM, with the licensed meningococcal conjugate vaccine, Menactra. METHODS: In this multicenter phase III study, 2180 adolescents 11-18 years of age were randomly assigned to 4 groups (1:1:1:1) to receive a single dose of 1 of 3 lots of MenACWY-CRM or a single dose of Menactra. Serum samples obtained before vaccination and 1 month after vaccination were tested for serogroup-specific serum bactericidal activity using human complement (hSBA). The hSBA titers after vaccination with MenACWY-CRM or Menactra were compared in noninferiority and superiority analyses. RESULTS: The hSBA geometric mean titers after MenACWY-CRM vaccination were higher than the hSBA geometric mean titers after Menactra vaccination, and criteria for superiority were met for this end point for all 4 serogroups. Also, the criteria for superiority of MenACWY-CRM, compared with Menactra, were met for the end points of proportion of subjects with postvaccination hSBA titers 1:8 and proportion of seroresponders for serogroups A, W-135, and Y. MenACWY-CRM was noninferior to Menactra for serogroup C for these end points. Reactogenicity was similar, with 64% of the MenACWY-CRM recipients and 70% of the Menactra recipients reporting mild and/or moderate solicited reactions. Neither vaccine was associated with a serious adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: MenACWY-CRM vaccine is well tolerated in adolescents and generates a stronger immune response than Menactra for all 4 serogroups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00450437 .