2905. Long-term Immunological Persistence of the Adjuvanted Recombinant Zoster Vaccine: Clinical Data and Mathematical Modeling

Abstract Background The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, GSK), administered to adults ≥ 50 years of age (YOA) demonstrated ≥ 90% efficacy against herpes zoster across all age cohorts. Vaccine-specific immune responses elicited by two RZV doses in adults ≥ 60 YOA have been shown to persist above pre-vaccination levels at least up to 9 years after initial vaccination. Here we present persistence of the humoral and cellular immunity and safety up to 10 years after initial vaccination as well as data from mathematical modeling, performed to predict immune persistence up to 15 years. Methods This phase IIIB, open-label extension trial (NCT02735915) included 70 participants who had received two RZV doses in the initial trial (NCT00434577) and builds on a previous extension trial (NCT01295320). Cellular and humoral immune responses up to year 10 after an initial 2-dose vaccination schedule are presented here. Additionally, prediction of immunological persistence at year 15 was assessed by mathematical modeling (Piecewise, Power-law, Fraser), using the individual subject values for available data up to year 10. Results The median frequency of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE)-specific CD4+ T-cells expressing ≥ 2 activation markers plateaued at 3.3-fold above pre-vaccination levels starting around year 4 up to year 10 post-initial vaccination. Anti-gE antibody concentrations plateaued starting around year 3 up to year 10 post-initial vaccination.Ten years after initial vaccination, humoral responses remained 5.9-fold higher as compared with pre-initial vaccination levels (Figure 1). No relevant safety events were identified during the study (year 9–10 post-initial vaccination). In line with previous modeling data, the year 10 analysis predicts that both cellular and humoral immune responses will remain above pre-vaccination levels for at least 15 years after initial vaccination (Figures 2 and 3). Conclusion In adults vaccinated when ≥ 60 YOA, humoral and cellular immune responses induced by two RZV doses persist above pre-vaccination levels for at least 10 years post-initial vaccination. Mathematical modeling predicts a maintained vaccine-related immune response for at least 15 years after initial vaccination. Funding. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA. Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.

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Persistence of Immune Response to an Adjuvanted Varicella-Zoster Virus Subunit Candidate Vaccine for up to Year 9 in Older Adults

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1039 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. S415-S415 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Karlis Pauksens ◽

Stephanie Volpe ◽

Tino F Schwarz ◽

Jan Smetana ◽

Nicole Toursarkissian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Varicella Zoster Virus ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Intracellular Cytokine Staining ◽

Post Dose ◽

Serious Adverse Events ◽

Activation Markers ◽

Varicella Zoster ◽

Age Cohorts ◽

Humoral Immune

Abstract Background In the ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 clinical trials, the candidate herpes-zoster subunit vaccine (HZ/su; 50µg varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E [gE] and AS01B Adjuvant System) demonstrated high efficacy against HZ, with limited waning over 4 years and consistent efficacy across age cohorts. In adults ≥60 years of age, the immune responses elicited by 2 HZ/su doses administered 2 months apart persisted for at least 6 years.1 Here we report immunogenicity and safety 9 years post-initial vaccination. Methods This Phase IIIB, open, long-term extension study (NCT02735915) followed 70 participants who received 2 HZ/su doses in the initial trial (NCT00434577). Blood samples to evaluate the persistence of cellular (intracellular cytokine staining) and humoral (ELISA) immune responses were taken at 9 years post-initial vaccination. Limited safety follow-up was performed (1 visit). Results All 70 participants (mean age at dose 1: 72.3 years; 61.4% female) were included in the according-to-protocol analysis. The fold increases over pre-vaccination in the frequency of gE-specific CD4+ T-cells expressing ≥2 activation markers plateaued after 4 years post-dose 1 (year 4: 3.4, year 5: 3.0, year 6: 3.4, year 9: 3.4). Anti-gE antibody geometric mean concentrations were also stable from year 4 onwards (Table 1) and remained above the pre-vaccination value of 1213.1mIU/mL. Cellular and humoral responses at year 9 were similar across age strata (60–69, ≥70 years). No vaccine-related serious adverse events nor suspected HZ episodes were reported. Conclusion In adults ≥60 years of age, HZ/su-induced cellular and humoral immune responses remained above pre-vaccination levels for at least 9 years post-initial vaccination, confirming immune persistence predictions2 based on 6-year data. Disclosures S. Volpe, GSK: Employee, Salary; T. F. Schwarz, GSK: Investigator and Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee; J. Smetana, GSK: Investigator, personal fees;  S. Ravault, GSK: Employee, GSK shares and Salary; M. P. David, GSK: Employee, Salary and stock; A. Bastidas, GSK: Employee, Salary; L. Oostvogels, GSK: Employee and Shareholder, Salary and shares

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Francisella and Antibodies

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9102136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 2136

Author(s):

Klara Kubelkova ◽

Ales Macela

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Immune Defense ◽

Suitable Model ◽

Activation Markers ◽

Humoral Immune ◽

Humoral Immune Responses ◽

Early Production

Immune responses to intracellular pathogens depend largely upon the activation of T helper type 1-dependent mechanisms. The contribution of B cells to establishing protective immunity has long been underestimated. Francisella tularensis, including a number of subspecies, provides a suitable model for the study of immune responses against intracellular bacterial pathogens. We previously demonstrated that Francisella infects B cells and activates B-cell subtypes to produce a number of cytokines and express the activation markers. Recently, we documented the early production of natural antibodies as a consequence of Francisella infection in mice. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the innate and acquired humoral immune responses initiated by Francisella infection and their relationships with the immune defense systems.

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Immunogenicity and Safety of an Adjuvanted Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Older Adults Previously Vaccinated with a Live-Attenuated Herpes Zoster Vaccine: A Phase III, Group-Matched, Clinical Trial

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1038 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. S414-S414 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Katrijn Grupping ◽

Laura Campora ◽

Martine Douha ◽

Thomas C Heineman ◽

Nicola P Klein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Herpes Zoster ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Zoster Vaccine ◽

Humoral Immune ◽

Humoral Immune Responses ◽

Risk Increase ◽

Grant Recipient

Abstract Background Herpes zoster (HZ), caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), typically manifests as a dermatomal rash and can lead to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). HZ and PHN risk increase with age. Efficacy against HZ induced by a live-attenuated zoster vaccine (ZVL; Merck) declines following vaccination (21% in years 5–12 post-vaccination). To ensure protection, revaccination can be considered. Therefore, we assessed immunogenicity and safety of HZ/su, a non-live candidate vaccine containing VZV glycoprotein E (gE) subunit and AS01B adjuvant system (GSK), in adults previously vaccinated with ZVL ≥5 years before, (HZ-PreVac) compared with adults not vaccinated with ZVL (HZ-NonVac). Methods In this phase III, group-matched, open, multicenter study (NCT02581410), 2 parallel groups of adults ≥65 years of age (YOA) received 2 HZ/su doses 2 months apart. A co-primary objective was to compare humoral immune responses 1 month post-dose 2 (M3) in the 2 groups (non-inferiority criterion: upper limit [UL] of the 95% confidence interval [CI] for HZ-NonVac/HZ-PreVac adjusted anti-gE antibody geometric mean concentration [GMC] ratio <1.5). Humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated at various time points. Solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs) were recorded for 7 and 30 days post each dose, respectively. Serious AEs (SAEs), HZ cases and potential immune-mediated diseases (pIMDs) will be recorded until study end. Here, we present data up to M3, as the study is still ongoing. Results 430 participants were vaccinated. M3 humoral immune responses in HZ-PreVac were non-inferior to those in HZ-NonVac and the co-primary objective was met as the UL of the 95% CI of the adjusted GMC ratio was 1.17 (Table 1). In addition, there were no apparent differences in CD4[2+] T-cell frequencies between groups (Figure 1). No clinically meaningful differences between frequencies of solicited AEs, unsolicited AEs or SAEs in the 2 groups were observed (Table 2). No SAEs considered vaccine-related by investigators, no suspected HZ cases and no pIMDs were reported up to M3. Conclusion HZ/su vaccination in adults ≥65 YOA who previously received ZVL stimulates strong immune responses and does not raise safety concerns. Funding GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA Disclosures K. Grupping, GSK group of companies: Employee, Salary; L. Campora, GSK group of companies: Employee, Salary; M. Douha, GSK group of companies: Employee, Salary; T. C. Heineman, GSK group of companies: Consultant and Shareholder, Consulting fee; N. P. Klein, GSK group of companies: Investigator, Grant recipient sanofi pasteur: Investigator, Grant recipient; Merck & Co: Investigator, Grant recipient; MedImmune: Investigator, Grant recipient; Protein Science: Investigator, Grant recipient; Pfizer: Investigator, Grant recipient; H. Lal, Pfizer: Employee and Shareholder, Salary and Stock as part of compensation; GSK group of companies: Employee at the time of study and Shareholder, Salary and Stock as part of compensation; J. Peterson, GSK group of companies: Investigator, Principal investigator fees; L. Oostvogels, GSK group of companies: Employee and Shareholder, Salary and Shares

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