Safety and Effectiveness of an Adjuvant in Improving Immune Response to Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine in HIV Infected Individuals

Improving Immune Response to Hepatitis B Vaccine in HIV-positive Subjects Using Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) as a Vaccine Adjuvant: A Phase II Open-Label Pilot Study

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a naturally occurring substance that is made by the body in response to infection or inflammation, and greatly improves cellular immune responses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of GM-CSF as an adjuvant to improve the immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in HIV infected individuals.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has greatly improved the life of HIV infected individuals. Before the introduction of HAART, the impact of HBV infection and liver disease was less prominent due to the rapid progression to AIDS. However, with the use of HAART, liver disease has become a leading cause of death in HIV infected individuals; therefore, prevention of HBV infection is essential. Most HIV infected people respond poorly to HBV vaccines. GM-CSF is a cytokine produced primarily by activated T and B cells and has been used extensively as a hematopoietic growth factor. GM-CSF increases neutrophil count, improves antigen-presenting cell function, and is involved in the development and improvement of cellular immune responses. Past research has shown that GM-CSF improves the immune response to HBV vaccination in people with kidney disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of GM-CSF as an adjuvant to improve the immune response to HBV vaccination in HIV infected individuals.

This study will last 60 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 arms. Arm A participants will receive 40 mcg of HBV vaccine at study entry, Week 4, and Week 12. Arm B participants will receive 40 mcg of HBV vaccine and 250 mcg of GM-CSF at study entry, Week 4, and Week 12. Participants will be stratified by their screening HIV-1 viral load. After completing the vaccination series, study visits will occur at Weeks 16, 36, and 60. Blood collection, a physical exam, and liver function and hepatitis antibody tests will be completed at all study visits. Telephone follow-up by study staff will occur 48 to 96 hours post-vaccination.

Inclusion Criteria:

• HIV infected
• CD4 count of 200 cells/mm3 or more within 30 days prior to study entry
• HIV-1 RNA viral load value obtained within 30 days prior to study entry
• Received HAART for at least 8 weeks prior to study entry OR not on HAART within 8 weeks prior to study entry with no plans to start HAART during the study. Participants receiving HAART must be on stable therapy as defined by the protocol.
• Negative hepatitis B core total antibody (HBcAb total), qualitative hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) tests within 30 days prior to study entry
• Negative hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody test, completed within 30 days prior to study entry
• Willing to use acceptable forms of contraception

Exclusion Criteria:

• HCV antibody or HCV RNA positive at any time prior to study entry
• Previously vaccinated against HBV
• Use of any systemic antineoplastic or immunomodulatory treatment, systemic corticosteroids, vaccines, interleukins, interferons, growth factors, or intravenous immune globulin within 30 days prior to study entry
• Known allergy or sensitivity to any component of the study drugs
• Active drug or alcohol dependence that would interfere with participation in the study
• Any mental illness that may interfere with the study
• Serious illness requiring systemic treatment or hospitalization. Participants who complete therapy or are clinically stable on therapy for at least 14 days prior to study entry are not excluded.
• Body weight less than 50 kg (110 lbs)
• Abnormal lab values
• Pregnant or breastfeeding