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OpenTrials
Terminated

NCT Number: NCT02444936

ZOSTAVAX in Persons Imminently Receiving Chemotherapy for Solid Organ Tumors

This study evaluates if the shingles vaccine works in those persons that receive it before they receive chemotherapy for solid organ tumors. Half of the participants will receive the ZOSTAVAX shingle vaccine and half of the participants will not received anything.

Why the study stopped: unable to obtain samples of key groups to do any analysis.
Terminated

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Key information

Conditions

Shingles DNA Virus Infections Herpes Zoster Herpesviridae Infections Infections Varicella Zoster Virus Infection Virus Diseases

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

About this study

This study is a single blind randomized clinical trial measuring the immunologic efficacy of ZOSTAVAX vs. no vaccine in 60 adults with solid organ tumors before, during and after chemotherapy. The personnel performing the laboratory studies will be blinded to vaccine vs. no vaccine. In a pilot study of an FDA approved vaccine that is being used within the parameters of the package insert and ACIP recommendations, placebo vaccine is not required to access our key primary immunologic endpoint.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Solid organ tumor patients that have at least 14 days between entry into the study with ZOSTAVAX vaccination and initial therapy for their malignancy that will include chemotherapy alone or surgery with subsequent chemotherapy plus or minus radiation therapy
  • A plan for chemotherapy that at the onset at least an anticipated stop date within 3-6 months of our sample collection phase of the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Prior history of HZ or shingles vaccine
  • Systemic chemotherapy < 3 months prior to enrollment
  • Any history of hematologic malignancy, HIV/AIDS, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, or other cellular immunodeficiency state
  • Those receiving immunomodulating drugs at the time of vaccination such as prednisone methotrexate, azathioprine, mercaptopurine, or other biologics including TNF-alpha inhibitors
  • Widespread metastatic tumor with bone marrow involvement
  • Indefinite duration palliative chemotherapy subjects
  • Inability to communicate with the study staff or bring unable to consent for themselves
  • History of anaphylactic/anaphylactiod reaction to gelatin, neomycin, or other components of the vaccine

Treatment and study plan

Zostavax

Drug

Shingles vaccine

Other names: Voster vaccine live

Primary outcomes

  1. Measuring the Efficacy of ZOSTAVAX in Chemotherapy Patients (Changes in ZOSTAVAX-specific IFN-gamma Spot Forming Units Will be Measured by ELISPOT)

    Time frame: 3 years

    To examine the cellular immunologic efficacy as measured by IFN-gamma assays of ZOSTAVAX given to individuals with solid organ tumors at least 14 days prior to initiation of chemotherapy or surgery and then chemotherapy. Changes in ZOSTAVAX-specific IFN-gamma spot forming units will be measured by ELISPOT.

  2. Measuring the Safety of ZOSTAVAX Given to Chemotherapy Patients (Vaccine Report Card (VRC) to Document Injection-site Adverse Experiences, Systemic Clinical Adverse Experiences (AEs), Concomitant Medications, and Oral Temperatures

    Time frame: 3 years

    To asses the safety of ZOSTAVAX given to subjects that will receive chemotherapy or surgery and then chemotherapy for solid organ tumor at least 14 days after vaccination. Safety and tolerability data will be collected for all subjects throughout the study. Each subject will be given a Vaccine Report Card (VRC) to document injection-site adverse experiences, systemic clinical adverse experiences (AEs), concomitant medications, and oral temperatures (only if feeling feverish) noted during the 14-day post-vaccination period. Participants will be asked to notify the study personnel immediately if any unexpected or serious adverse experience (SAE) occurs. At all study visits subjects will be asked about any unreported SAEs. All AEs and SAEs will be recorded on an AE/SAE case report form and relationship to study vaccine will be determined by the site investigator.

Interested in participating?

Terminated

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Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Louis Stokes VA Medical Center

Fed

Collaborators

  • Duke University

Registry information

Official study title

A Pilot Study Using a Randomized Design to Evaluate the Immunologic Efficacy and Safety of ZOSTAVAX in Persons Imminently Receiving Chemotherapy for Solid Organ Tumors

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
May 15, 2015
Registry last updated
Sep 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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