A phase 1 study of the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of a Schistosoma mansoni vaccine with or without glucopyranosyl lipid A aqueous formulation (GLA-AF) in healthy adults from a non-endemic area.

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2019
Authors
Keitel, W A; Potter, G E; Diemert, D; Bethony, J; El Sahly, H M; Kennedy, J K; Patel, S M; Plieskatt, J L; Jones, W; Deye, G; Bottazzi, M E; Hotez, P J; Atmar, R L
Secondary
Vaccine
Volume
37
Pagination
6500-6509
Date Published
2019 10 08
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) is a chronic, debilitating and potentially deadly neglected tropical disease. The licensure of a vaccine to prevent schistosomiasis would represent a major breakthrough in public health.

METHODS: The safety and immunogenicity of a candidate Sm vaccine were assessed in this phase I, double-blind, dose-escalation trial. Seventy-two healthy Sm-naïve 18-50 year olds were randomized to receive 3 doses ∼ 8 weeks apart of saline placebo, or 10 µg, 30 µg, or 100 µg of recombinant Sm-Tetraspanin-2 vaccine formulated on aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (Sm-TSP-2/Al) with or without 5 µg of glucopyranosyl lipid A aqueous formulation (GLA-AF). Clinical and serologic responses were assessed for 1 year after dose 3.

RESULTS: Vaccines were safe and well-tolerated. The most common reactions were injection site tenderness and pain, and headache and fatigue. Tenderness and pain were more frequent in groups receiving vaccine with GLA-AF than placebo (p = 0.0036 and p = 0.0014, respectively). Injection site reactions among those given Sm-TSP-2/Al with GLA-AF lasted 1.22 and 1.33 days longer than those receiving Sm-TSP-2/Al without GLA-AF or placebo (p < 0.001 for both). Dose- and adjuvant-related increases in serum IgG against Sm-TSP-2 were observed. Peak IgG levels occurred 14 days after dose 3. Seroresponse frequencies were low among recipients of Sm-TSP-2/Al without GLA-AF, but higher among subjects receiving 30 µg or 100 µg of Sm-TSP-2/Al with GLA-AF. More seroresponses were observed among those given 30 µg or 100 µg of Sm-TSP-2/Al with GLA-AF compared to placebo (p = 0.023 and p < 0.001, respectively). Seroresponse frequencies were 0%, 30%, 50%, and 89%, respectively, among those given placebo, or 10 µg, 30 µg or 100 µg of Sm-TSP-2/Al with GLA-AF, suggesting a dose-response relationship for Sm-TSP-2/Al with GLA-AF (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Sm-TSP-2/Al with or without GLA-AF was safe and well tolerated in a Sm-naïve population. A vaccine like the one under development may represent our best hope to eliminating this neglected tropical disease.