Evaluating the Safety and Immune Response to Two Admixtures of a Tetravalent Dengue Virus Vaccine

Dengue viruses cause dengue fever and the more severe condition, dengue hemorrhagic fever/shock syndrome. Dengue viruses are common in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world and infection with dengue viruses is the leading cause of hospitalization and death in children in many tropical Asian countries. For these reasons, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made the development of a dengue virus vaccine a top priority. This study will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of two doses of a live, attenuated, tetravalent dengue virus vaccine called TetraVax-DV in healthy adults. Two different versions of the TetraVax-DV vaccine will be evaluated.

This study will enroll healthy adults 18-50 years old. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of two admixtures of the TetraVax-DV vaccine or a placebo. At a baseline study visit, participants will undergo a medical history review, physical examination, blood collection, vital sign measurements, and a pregnancy test for females. Participants will then receive one injection of their assigned vaccine in the upper arm. After receiving the vaccine, participants will remain in the clinic for 30 minutes for observation and monitoring. At home, participants will monitor and record their temperature three times a day for 16 days. Additional study visits will occur at Days 3, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 21, 28, 56, 90, and 150 and will include a physical examination, assessment of symptoms, and blood collection. On Day 180, participants will receive a second injection of the same vaccine they received at the baseline study visit. Follow-up study visits will occur at Days 183, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 201, 208, 236, 270, and 360, and will include the same study procedures and monitoring that occurred after the first vaccination.

Inclusion criteria

• In good general health, as determined by physical examination, laboratory screening, and review of medical history
• Available for the duration of the study, approximately 26 weeks post-vaccination
• Willing to participate in the study as evidenced by signing the informed consent document
• Female participants of childbearing potential must be willing to use effective contraception for the duration of the trial. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol.

Exclusion criteria

• Currently pregnant (as determined by positive beta-human choriogonadotropin [HCG] test) or breastfeeding
• Evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, rheumatologic, autoimmune, or renal disease by history, physical examination, and/or laboratory studies
• Behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the investigator affects the ability of the participant to understand and cooperate with the requirements of the study protocol
• Screening laboratory values of Grade 1 or above for absolute neutrophil count (ANC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum creatinine, as defined in the protocol
• Any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would jeopardize the safety or rights of a participant in the trial or would render the participant unable to comply with the protocol
• Any significant alcohol or drug abuse in the 12 months prior to study entry that has caused medical, occupational, or family problems, as indicated by a participant's history
• History of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis
• Severe asthma (emergency room visit or hospitalization within the 6 months prior to study entry)
• HIV infection, by screening and confirmatory assays
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, by screening and confirmatory assays
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening
• Any known immunodeficiency syndrome
• Use of anticoagulant medications
• Use of corticosteroids (excluding topical or nasal) or immunosuppressive drugs within 42 days prior to or following vaccination. Immunosuppressive dose of corticosteroids is defined as greater than or equal to 10 mg prednisone equivalent per day for greater than or equal to 14 days.
• Receipt of a live vaccine within 28 days or a killed vaccine within the 14 days prior to vaccination or anticipated receipt of any vaccine during the 42 days following vaccination
• Asplenia
• Receipt of blood products within the 6 months prior to study entry, including transfusions or immunoglobulin or anticipated receipt of any blood products or immunoglobulin during the 42 days following vaccination
• History or serologic evidence of previous dengue virus infection or other flavivirus infection (e.g., yellow fever virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, West Nile virus)
• Previous receipt of a flavivirus vaccine (licensed or experimental)
• Anticipated receipt of any investigational agent in the 42 days before or after vaccination
• Has definite plans to travel to a dengue endemic area during the study
• Refusal to allow storage of specimens for future research

Inclusion criteria

for Second Dose of Vaccine:

• In good general health, as determined by physical examination and review of medical history
• Available for the duration of the study, approximately 6 months post-vaccination
• Willing to participate in the study as evidenced by signing the informed consent document
• Female participants of childbearing potential must be willing to use effective contraception for the duration of the trial. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol.

Exclusion criteria

for Second Dose of Vaccine:

• Anaphylaxis or angioedema following the first dose of vaccine
• Currently pregnant (as determined by positive beta-HCG test) or breastfeeding
• Evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, rheumatologic, autoimmune, or renal disease by history, physical examination, and/or laboratory studies
• Behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the investigator affects the ability of the participant to understand and cooperate with the requirements of the study protocol
• Any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would jeopardize the safety or rights of a participant in the trial or would render the participant unable to comply with the protocol
• Any significant alcohol or drug abuse in the 12 months prior to study entry which has caused medical, occupational, or family problems, as indicated by a participant's history
• History of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis
• Severe asthma (emergency room visit or hospitalization within the 6 months prior to study entry)
• HIV infection, by screening and confirmatory assays
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, by screening and confirmatory assays
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening
• Any known immunodeficiency syndrome
• Use of anticoagulant medications
• Use of corticosteroids (excluding topical or nasal) or immunosuppressive drugs within 42 days prior to or following vaccination. Immunosuppressive dose of corticosteroids is defined as greater than or equal to 10 mg prednisone equivalent per day for greater than or equal to 14 days.
• Receipt of a live vaccine within 28 days or a killed vaccine within the 14 days prior to vaccination or anticipated receipt of any vaccine during the 42 days following vaccination
• Asplenia
• Receipt of blood products within the 6 months prior to study entry, including transfusions or immunoglobulin or anticipated receipt of any blood products or immunoglobulin during the 42 days following vaccination
• Anticipated receipt of any other investigational agent in the 42 days before or after vaccination
• Has definite plans to travel to a dengue endemic area during the study
• Refusal to allow storage of specimens for future research

Other Treatments and Ongoing Exclusion Criteria:

The following criteria will be reviewed on Days 28 and 56 following each vaccination. If any become applicable during the study, the participant will not be included in further immunogenicity evaluations, as of the exclusionary visit. The participant will, however, be encouraged to remain in the study for safety evaluations for the duration of the study.

Ongoing Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of any investigational drug or investigational vaccine other than the study vaccine during the 42-day period post-vaccination
• Chronic administration (greater than or equal to 14 days) of steroids (defined as prednisone equivalent of greater than or equal to 10 mg per day), immunosuppressants, or other immune-modifying drugs initiated during the 42-day period post-vaccination (topical and nasal steroids are allowed)
• Receipt of a licensed vaccine during the 42-day period post-vaccination
• Receipt of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products during the 42-day period post-vaccination
• Pregnant