Safety and Immune Response to an Investigational Dengue Type 2 Vaccine

Dengue viruses cause approximately 50 million cases of dengue fever and 1.5 million cases of the more severe diseases dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) every year. There are four subtypes of the virus, and infection with one offers no protection from infection by the others. In fact, most cases of DHS and DSS occur in people infected by more than one subtype. In areas of the world where multiple subtypes of dengue are common, vaccines must be developed against each of the subtypes of dengue virus. This study will examine the safety and immune response of an investigational vaccine for preventing dengue virus type 2.

Participation in this study will last about 6 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to be injected with either the investigational study vaccine or a placebo. Participants will have a five in six chance of receiving the vaccine. The first study visit will take place on the vaccination day, on which participants will undergo a physical examination, blood draw, and pregnancy test and then receive the vaccine. Participants will be given a thermometer and temperature card and be told to record their temperatures three times per day for 16 days after vaccination. Participants will come to follow-up visits every other day for the 16 days after vaccination and then 3, 4, and 6 weeks after vaccination (Days 21, 28, and 42). Assessments completed during these visits will include a questionnaire about how the participant is feeling, pregnancy test, review of temperature cards, blood draw, and physical exam. Blood drawn will be analyzed to check participants' health, determine the amount of vaccine and antibodies in the blood, test markers in white blood cells and genes, and look for proteins that are important for fighting dengue infection.

Inclusion criteria

• Good general health as determined by physical examination, laboratory screening, and review of medical history
• Available for the duration of the study, approximately 6 weeks post-vaccination
• Female participants of childbearing potential must be willing to use effective contraception for the duration of the trial

Exclusion criteria

• Currently breastfeeding or pregnant
• Exhibits evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, rheumatologic, autoimmune, or renal disease by history, physical examination, and/or laboratory studies
• Presence of a behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric disease that affects the ability of the participant to understand and cooperate with the requirements of the study protocol
• Has screening laboratory values of Grade 1 or above for absolute neutrophil count (ANC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum creatinine, as defined in protocol
• Presence of any condition that would jeopardize the safety or rights of the participant or would render the participant unable to comply with the protocol
• Significant alcohol or drug abuse in the past 12 months that has caused medical, occupational, or family problems, as indicated by participant history
• History of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis
• Presence of severe asthma, defined as requiring emergency room visit or hospitalization within the last 6 months
• Presence of HIV infection, determined by screening and confirmatory assays
• Presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, determined by screening and confirmatory assays
• Presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, determined by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening
• Presence of any known immunodeficiency syndrome
• Uses anticoagulant medications
• Has used corticosteroids (excluding topical or nasal) or immunosuppressive drugs within 42 days prior to or following vaccination. An immunosuppressive dose of corticosteroids is defined as greater than or equal to 10 mg prednisone or equivalent per day for greater than or equal to 14 days.
• Has received a live vaccine within 28 days or a killed vaccine within 14 days prior to vaccination or anticipates receipt of any vaccine during the 42 days following vaccination
• Has no spleen
• Has received blood products within the past 6 months, including transfusions or immunoglobulin, or anticipates 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, West Nile virus)
• Has received a flavivirus vaccine (licensed or experimental)
• Anticipates 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