The purpose of this study is to see whether a single vaccination (injection) with the investigational influenza vaccine is safe in healthy subjects. The study is also designed to evaluate four different dose formulations of the vaccine to see which gives the best immune response.
Prophylactic vaccination against influenza is indicated for "at risk" populations including patients suffering from chronic respiratory diseases (including asthma), chronic heart disease, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression due to disease or treatment. Vaccination of the elderly (\>65 years) and the residents of nursing homes is also recommended. The current influenza vaccines available contain subunits from two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus and consist either of inactivated whole virus or subunits of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. The investigational influenza vaccine (FLU-v) contains multiple highly conserved T cell epitopes that are present on most influenza viruses, which have been identified as reactive in different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) populations; thus making it unlikely that anybody in the vaccinated population would be unable to mount an immune response to at least one of the epitopes contained in the vaccine. This study will be the initial exploration of FLU-v in humans, and aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in healthy subjects. Subjects will be randomised to receive either Low Dose or High Dose FLU-v with or without adjuvant, or placebo with or without adjuvant. Twenty-four (24) subjects will be randomized to Low Dose and 24 subjects to High Dose. To mitigate risk, a staggered dosing approach will be used. One subject will receive Low Dose FLU-v without adjuvant, and one subject will receive placebo without adjuvant, followed 6 hours later by one subject receiving Low Dose FLU-v with adjuvant, and one subject receiving placebo with adjuvant. All 4 subjects will be observed overnight. At least 72 hours later and in the absence of any clinically-significant safety signals (as determined by a Safety Review Committee) the remaining 20 subjects of the Low Dose group will be dosed. If deemed appropriate by the Safety Review Committee a second sentinel cohort of 4 subjects will be observed overnight prior to completing the remaining subjects of the Low Dose group. Following a satisfactory review of safety data from the combined Low Dose cohorts, subjects in the High Dose group will be vaccinated using the same staggered dosing approach as used in Low Dose.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
48
Comparison of different dosages of FLU-v (sterile lyophilised mixture of polypeptide T-cell epitope sequences). Administration: A single subcutaneous injection of (Low Dose / High Dose with adjuvant / water for injection)
Adjuvant only or water for injection only Administration: a single subcutaneous injection
Quintiles Drug Research Unit at Guy's Hospital
London, United Kingdom
Safety and tolerability of FLU-v
The safety and tolerability of two dose levels of FLU-v and the effect of the adjuvant on the safety and tolerability of FLU-v will be assessed by, Clinical signs and symptoms from physical exam and ECG; Adverse events (including local and systemic AEs); Laboratory safety (haematology, serum clinical chemistry, urinalysis); and Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate)
Time frame: Measurements will be taken at screening, then up to 21 days post-vaccination
Immunogenicity of FLU-v
The immunogenicity of FLU-v with and without adjuvant will be measured by Serum IgG2 (assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA)) and IFN-γ in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
Time frame: Measurements will be taken on Days 1 and 21 post-vaccination
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