A Two-dose Primary Vaccination Study of a Tetravalent Dengue Virus Purified Inactivated Vaccine vs. Placebo in Healthy Adults (in Puerto Rico)

A Phase I, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Observer-blind, Two-dose (0-28 Day Schedule) Primary Vaccination Study of WRAIR Tetravalent Dengue Virus Purified Inactivated Vaccine (TDENV-PIV) in Healthy Adults in Puerto Rico

This is a first time in humans (FTiH) study designed to assess the experimental TDENV-PIV vaccine in a predominantly dengue-primed adult population. The study is designed to afford a first time in humans (FTiH) safety and immunogenicity assessment of three TDENV-PIV vaccine candidates, each formulated with a different adjuvant: either aluminum hydroxide, AS01E or AS03B (adjuvants used in GSK Biologicals' hepatitis B candidate vaccine, malaria candidate vaccine and pandemic flu vaccine, respectively). Each vaccine candidate will contain 1 µg of purified virus antigen per each of the four DENV types. Additionally, the study will evaluate an alum adjuvanted TDENV-PIV vaccine candidate containing 4 µg of purified virus antigen per each of the four DENV types. The control group will receive a saline placebo. All experimental vaccinations will be administered according to a 2-dose schedule, 28 days apart. There is a parallel FTiH study that is conducted in the United States in a dengue-naive population using the same investigational vaccines.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who the investigator believes can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol (e.g., completion of the diary cards, return for follow-up visits, etc.)

• A male or female between 20 and 39 years of age (inclusive) at the time of consent

• Written informed consent obtained from the subject

• Healthy subjects as established by medical history and clinical examination before entering into the study

• Subject has lived in the Caribbean for more than 10 years

• Female subjects of non-childbearing potential (non-childbearing potential is defined as having either a current tubal ligation at least three months prior to enrollment, hysterectomy, ovariectomy, or is post-menopause).

• Female subjects of childbearing potential may be enrolled in the study, if the subject has:

  • practiced adequate contraception for 30 days prior to vaccination, and
  • a negative urine pregnancy test on the day of vaccination, and
  • agreed to continue adequate contraception until two months after completion of the vaccination series

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of any investigational or non-registered product (drug or vaccine) other than the study vaccines/placebo during the period starting 30 days preceding the first dose of study vaccine/placebo and/or planned use during the study period
• Chronic administration (defined as more than 14 days in total) of immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs during the period starting 180 days prior to the first vaccine/placebo dose (for corticosteroids, this will mean prednisone ≥ 20 mg/day or equivalent; inhaled and topical steroids are allowed)
• Planned administration or administration of a vaccine/product not foreseen by the study protocol during the Exclusion:
• Use of any investigational or non-registered product (drug or vaccine) other than the study vaccines/placebo during the period starting 30 days preceding the first dose of study vaccine/placebo and/or planned use during the study period
• Chronic administration (defined as more than 14 days in total) of immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs during the period starting 180 days prior to the first vaccine/placebo dose (for corticosteroids, this will mean prednisone ≥ 20 mg/day or equivalent; inhaled and topical steroids are allowed)
• Planned administration or administration of a vaccine/product not foreseen by the study protocol during the period starting 30 days prior to the first dose of vaccine/placebo until after the visit at Day 56 (if influenza activity warrants vaccination of healthy young adults, influenza vaccination will be encouraged and will not lead to study exclusion)
• Previous or planned administration of any other flavivirus vaccine (approved or investigational) for the entire study duration
• Previous receipt of any investigational dengue virus vaccine
• Concurrently participating in another clinical study, at any time during the study period, in which the subject has been or will be exposed to an investigational or a non-investigational product (pharmaceutical product or device).
• Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient condition, based on medical history and physical examination (no laboratory testing required).
• Family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency
• History of, or current auto-immune disease
• History of any reaction or hypersensitivity likely to be exacerbated by any component of the vaccine/placebo or related to a study procedure
• Major congenital defects or serious chronic illness
• History of any neurological disorders or seizures
• Acute disease and/or fever (≥37.5°C/99.5°F oral body temperature) at the time of enrollment (a subject with a minor illness, i.e., mild diarrhea, mild upper respiratory infection, etc., without fever, may be enrolled at the discretion of the investigator)
• Acute or chronic, clinically significant pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic or renal functional abnormality, as determined by physical examination or laboratory screening tests
• Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products during the period starting 90 days preceding the first dose of study vaccine/placebo or planned administration during the study period
• History of chronic alcohol consumption and/or drug abuse
• Pregnant or lactating female or female planning to become pregnant or planning to discontinue contraceptive precautions
• A planned move to a location that will prohibit participating in the trial until study end for the participant
• Any other condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, prevents the subject from participating in the study.
• Subject seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus antibodies (anti-HIV)
• Safety laboratory test results that are outside the normal limits for their age, gender, and locality at screening.