Neisseria meningitidis is a human-restricted pathogen that colonizes the nasopharynx and, in rare cases, invades the bloodstream or central nervous system, leading to invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Clinical manifestations may include meningitis, septicemia, or both. Among the 12 known serogroups, five-A, B, C, W, and Y-account for the majority of global IMD cases. In the United States, serogroups B, C, W, and Y are responsible for approximately 78% of cases across all age groups, with serogroup B being the most prevalent in Europe.
IMD incidence is highest among infants and children under 5 years, adolescents and young adults (particularly ages 16-21), and older adults aged 65 and above.
Vaccination Landscape:
Two monovalent MenB vaccines are currently licensed in the U.S.:
- MenB-4C (Bexsero, GSK)
- MenB-FHbp (Trumenba, Pfizer)
In October 2023, the FDA approved MenACWY-TT/MenB-FHbp (Penbraya, Pfizer), a pentavalent vaccine targeting serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y for individuals aged 10-25 years. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends Penbraya for:
- Healthy individuals aged 16-23 years when shared clinical decision-making supports MenB vaccination
- Individuals aged ≥10 years are at increased risk for IMD Due to antigenic differences between MenB-4C and MenB-FHbp (with only one shared antigen), these vaccines are not interchangeable. Continuity with the same manufacturer is required for subsequent doses to ensure immunogenic consistency.
Study Purpose:
This clinical trial aims to characterize the immunogenicity of a single dose of MenB-FHbp (Trumenba) or MenACWY-TT/MenB-FHbp (Penbraya) in young adults previously primed with a two-dose series of the heterologous MenB-4C (Bexsero) vaccine.
The study will evaluate:
Primary Objective: The proportion of participants achieving seroprotection (defined as hSBA titers ≥ lower limit of quantification [LLOQ]) against four MenB indicator strains at baseline and 28 days post-vaccination
Secondary Objectives:
- Geometric mean titers (GMTs) of hSBA responses to the four MenB strains
- Proportion of participants with composite seroprotection (hSBA ≥LLOQ for all four strains)
- Proportion achieving seroresponse (≥4-fold rise in hSBA titers from baseline)