Evaluating the effects of RG-RV16 inoculation on airway health

Epigenetic Mechanism Reprogramming Mucosal Anti-viral Immunity in Allergic Asthma VIRAL MUCOSAL REPROGRAMMING

This study is testing whether a new inoculation can improve airway health in people with allergies, asthma, and those without any respiratory issues.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 75 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Galveston, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT05331170 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study aims to assess the impact of RG-RV16 inoculation on airway mucosal gene expression and remodeling in three groups: healthy controls, allergic rhinitis subjects with cat dander allergy, and allergic asthmatic subjects. A total of 75 participants will undergo screening, including clinical history, pulmonary function testing, and blood tests to characterize their condition. Only those meeting specific criteria will proceed to the interventional phase, where the effects of the inoculation will be evaluated. The study is designed to provide insights into the mechanisms of airway responses in allergic conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18-60 with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis or asthma related to cat dander, as well as healthy individuals without respiratory diseases.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of asthma, COPD, or other significant respiratory diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing asthma and allergic rhinitis.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored similar interventions, but the specific approach of RG-RV16 inoculation in this context is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy Normal Control Group

1. Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent
2. Age: 18-60 inclusive
3. Sex: M or F
4. No history of asthma, COPD, rhinitis, or other clinically important respiratory disease
5. Non-smoker, or ex-smoker with \<10 pack years, at least 5 years remote.
6. No history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease
7. Negative ImmunoCAP test to regionally relevant allergen panel obtained at Screening. Alternatively, documented history of a negative skin test or negative specific IgE obtained within the past 12 months.

Allergic Rhinitis Group

1. Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent
2. Age: 18-60 inclusive
3. Sex: M or F
4. No history of asthma, COPD, or other clinically important respiratory disease
5. Non-smoker, or ex-smoker with \<10 pack years, at least 5 years remote
6. No history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease
7. History of rhinitis, physician diagnosed, plus one of the following criteria within the past 12 months
8. Seasonal or perennial nasal congestion or sneezing
9. Seasonal or perennial conjunctival infection or watering
10. No evidence of airway obstruction (FEV1:FVC ≥ lower limit of normal)
11. Positive ImmunoCAP test to cat. Documented history at any time of a positive skin test or a specific IgE measure at least Level 2 reactivity will meet this criterion. Subjects must have cat in home, have regular exposure to cat dander, or live in a home where a cat has lived within the past 6 months.

Allergic Asthma Group

Inclusion Criteria

1. Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent
2. Age: 18-60 inclusive
3. Sex: M or F
4. No history of COPD or other clinically important respiratory disease other than asthma
5. Non-smoker, or ex-smoker with \<10 pack years, at least 5 years remote
6. No history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease
7. History of mild-moderate asthma, physician diagnosed, plus one of the following criteria within the past 12 months

   1. Airway obstruction (FEV1: FVC \<0.6) that is significantly (at least 12% change from baseline, ATS criteria) reversible after 4 puffs of albuterol (obtained at Screening Visit or documented historical testing performed with the past 12 months)
   2. Requiring ICS for control of asthma for at least 30 days within the past 12 months
8. Positive ImmunoCAP test to cat dander. Documented history at any time of a positive skin test or a specific IgE measure at least Level 2 reactivity will meet this criteria. Subjects must have cat in home, have regular exposure to cat dander, or live in a home where a cat has lived within the past 6 months.
9. Results of the CBC do not show clinically important abnormalities

Exclusion Criteria:

Healthy Group Normal Group

1. Inability or unwillingness of a participant to comply with study protocol
2. Currently taking inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifier, or antihistamines for respiratory disease.
3. Neutralizing Ab to RV16 greater than or equal to 1:8
4. Pregnant or breastfeeding women or a woman who has a planned pregnancy during the course of the study. Menstruating females must have a negative pregnancy test at the screening visit. Pregnancy testing may be conducted prior to procedures as well at various times in the study.
5. Subjects with household or close contacts who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy during the main subject's participation, who have chronic respiratory disease, who are children under the age of 2 years, or who are adults over 60 years of age or are Immunosuppressed e.g. post-chemotherapy, HIV).
6. Subjects who provide healthcare services or work with elderly or children (e.g. daycare provider, senior citizen care giver).

Allergic Rhinitis Group

1. Inability or unwillingness of a participant to comply with study protocol
2. Currently using inhaled steroids, or oral montelukast for respiratory disease
3. Neutralizing Ab to RV16 greater than or equal to 1:8
4. Pregnant or breastfeeding women or a woman who has a planned pregnancy during the course of the study. Menstruating females must have a negative pregnancy test at screening visit. Pregnancy testing may be conducted prior to procedures as well at various times in the study.
5. Subjects with household or close contacts who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy during the main subject's participation, who have chronic respiratory disease, who are children under the age of 2 years, or who are adults over 60 years of age or are Immunosuppressed e.g. post-chemotherapy, HIV) .
6. Subjects who provide healthcare services or work with elderly or children (e.g. daycare provider, senior citizen care giver).
7. Subjects who have received immunosuppressive treatment within the last 12 months
8. BMI is greater than 35
9. History of symptoms consistent with a viral URI within the past 21 days
10. Results of the CBC do not show clinically important abnormalities
11. Family history or medical history of liver disease or bleeding disorders
12. Have not received systemic corticosteroids for 3months prior to Screening
13. Antiplatelet agents other than aspirin
14. Subjects who have a positive COVID-19 test will be excluded for 8 weeks

Allergic Asthma Group

1. Inability or unwillingness of a participant to comply with study protocol
2. Currently taking medications for respiratory diseases other than ICS, montelukast, or rescue albuterol or LABAs.
3. Neutralizing Ab to RV16 greater than or equal to 1:8
4. FEV1: FVC ratio less than 0.6, or FEV1 less than 60% predicted
5. Recent (\<30 days) exacerbation of asthma requiring systemic corticosteroids
6. ICS greater than fluticasone 500 mcg/day or its equivalent (GINA 2019 table) at screening.
7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women or a woman who has a planned pregnancy during the course of the study. Menstruating females must have a negative pregnancy test at screening. Pregnancy testing may be conducted prior to procedures as well at various times in the study.
8. Subjects with household or close contacts who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy during the main subject's participation, who have chronic respiratory disease, who are children under the age of 2 years, or who are adults over 60 years of age or are Immunosuppressed e.g. post-chemotherapy, HIV) .
9. Subjects who provide healthcare services or work with elderly or children (e.g. daycare provider, senior citizen care giver).
10. Subjects who have received immunosuppressive treatment within the last 12 months
11. BMI is greater than 35
12. History of symptoms consistent with a viral URI within the past 21 days
13. Family history or medical history of liver disease or bleeding disorders
14. Have not received systemic corticosteroids for 3 months prior to Screening
15. Have an ACT score \>19 at the time of enrollment.
16. Antiplatelet agents other than aspirin
17. Subjects who have a positive COVID-19 test will be excluded for 8 weeks

Where this trial is running

Galveston, Texas

• University of Texas Medical Branch — Galveston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: William J. Calhoun, MD — University of Texas
• Study coordinator: Lisa Sweeney, RN

Conditions Asthma; Allergic Rhinitis; Cat Allergy; Healthy; Allergy; Allergic; Rhinitis; Airway