A Leukapheresis Study for Immune Responses in Healthy US Adults Who Receive BCG Vaccination Followed by Boosting With AERAS-402

This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. At least 13, but no more than 16, subjects who met all eligibility criteria were to receive a prime vaccination with BCG (1-8 x 105 colony forming units [CFU] intradermally [ID]) at Study Day -84. Thirteen of the BCG-vaccinated subjects who completed all protocol-specified procedures and continued to meet eligibility criteria were to be enrolled and randomized on Study Day 0 in a 10:3 ratio to receive study vaccine (either AERAS-402 3 x 1010 virus particles [vp] intramuscularly [IM] or placebo IM) at Study Days 0 and 28, based on time of completion of screening. Eleven subjects were randomized (N=9 AERAS-402; N=2 placebo) and analyzed. Enrollment was stopped when 11 of the planned 13 subjects had been randomized, as it was felt that this number of subjects was sufficient to address the objectives of the study.

Inclusion criteria

• Is male or female
• Provided written informed consent prior to any study related procedures
• Is age ≥18 years and ≤45 years on Study Day -84.
• Has Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥19 and <33 by nomogram (see appendices)
• Has general good health, confirmed by medical history and physical examination
• Females physically capable of pregnancy (not sterilized and still menstruating or within 1 year of the last menses if menopausal) in sexual relationships with men must avoid pregnancy with an acceptable method of avoiding pregnancy from 28 days prior to Study Day -84 through the end of the study.
• Females physically capable of pregnancy must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to Study Day -84 AND a negative urine pregnancy test on Study Day -84, Study Day 0, and Study Day 28.
• Has committed to avoid elective surgery for the duration of the study
• Has ability to complete all study visits as required per the protocol and is able to be contacted by telephone

Exclusion criteria

• Acute illness, oral temperature ≥37.5°C, or axillary lymphadenopathy on Study Day -84, Study Day 0, or Study Day 28.
• Any of the following laboratory results from blood and urine collected within 7 days prior to Study Day -84 (evaluated per local laboratory parameters):

• Abnormal hemoglobin or hematocrit
• Abnormal white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, or absolute lymphocyte count
• Elevated creatinine, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, or alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
• Evidence of chronic hepatitis (e.g., hepatitis B core antibody, or hepatitis C antibody, or other)
• Laboratory test (e.g., QuantiFERON®-TB) evidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection
• History of residence in a tuberculosis-endemic country, per WHO 2008 "high-burden" definition
• History of treatment for active or latent tuberculosis infection
• History or evidence (including chest X-ray) of active tuberculosis
• Shared a residence within the last year with an individual on anti-tuberculosis treatment or with culture or smear positive tuberculosis
• History of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the BCG or study vaccines
• History of autoimmune disease or immunosuppression
• Current household contact or occupational exposure to an individual with known significant immunosuppression
• History or evidence on physical examination of any systemic disease, or acute or chronic illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the evaluation of the safety or immunogenicity of the vaccine, including axillary lymphadenopathy
• History or laboratory evidence of any past, present or future possible immunodeficiency state which will include (but is not limited to) any laboratory indication of HIV infection
• History of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 2 years
• History of cheloid formation
• Previous medical history that may compromise the safety of the subject in the study
• Any current medical, psychiatric, occupational, or substance abuse problems which, in the opinion of the investigator, will make it unlikely the subject will comply with the protocol
• Inability to discontinue daily medications during the study period except the following:

• Contraceptives
• Multivitamins
• Inhaled or topical corticosteroids
• Tobacco smoking of a pack or more of cigarettes a day, or cannabis smoking three or more days per week
• Received immunosuppressive medication within 45 days prior to Study Day -84 (inhaled and topical corticosteroids are permitted)
• Received investigational drugs or vaccine products within 182 days prior to Study Day -84 or planned participation in any other investigational study during the study period
• Received investigational Mtb vaccine at any time prior to Study Day -84
• Received vaccination or immunotherapy with a BCG product at any time prior to Study Day -84.
• Received immunoglobulin or blood products within 45 days prior to Study Day -84.
• Received any standard vaccine within 45 days prior to Study Day -84 except inactivated influenza vaccine which may have been received within 2 weeks prior to Study Day -84.
• History of high risk sexual behaviors since 1977.