Testing a new HIV vaccine in healthy adults

Randomized, Double Blind Evaluation of Late Boost Strategies With IHV01 (FLSC in Aluminum Phosphate) and A244 With or Without ALFQ for HIV-uninfected Participants in the HIV Vaccine Trial RV306 / WRAIR 1920

This study is testing two new HIV vaccines to see if they are safe and can help healthy adults build an immune response against the virus.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (fed)
• Drugs / interventions: prednisone
• Locations: 2 sites (Bangkok and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT04658667 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the safety and immune response of two HIV vaccine candidates, IHV01 and A244/AHFG, administered with or without an adjuvant (ALFQ) in healthy, HIV-uninfected adults who previously received a late boost of another vaccine. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the vaccine or a placebo in a controlled setting. The study will assess the immune response through various biological samples collected after vaccination. A total of 120 participants will be enrolled, receiving two injections in the quadriceps muscle over the course of the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy, HIV-uninfected adults who have previously participated in the RV306 study and are at low risk for HIV infection.

Not a fit: Patients who are HIV-positive or at high risk for HIV infection may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to the development of an effective vaccine against HIV, potentially reducing the risk of infection.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in developing HIV vaccines, but this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy, HIV-uninfected male and female participants
* Prior RV306 recipients who were randomized to receive active vaccine with late boosting at month 12, 15, or 18 and who completed all vaccinations
* Have a Thai identity card
* Must be at low risk for HIV infection per investigator assessment
* Must be able to understand and complete the informed consent process
* Must be capable of reading Thai
* Must successfully complete a Test of Understanding prior to enrollment
* Must be in good general health without clinically significant medical history
* HIV-uninfected per diagnostic algorithm within 45 days of enrollment
* Laboratory screening analysis:

  1. Hemoglobin: Women ≥11.0 g/dL, Men ≥11.5 g/dL
  2. White cell count: 4,000 to 11,000 cells/mm3
  3. Platelets: 150,000 to 450,000/mm3
  4. ALT and AST ≤1.25 institutional upper limit of reference range
  5. Creatinine: ≤1.25 institutional upper limit of reference range
  6. Urinalysis blood and protein no greater than 1+ and negative glucose
* Female-Specific Criteria:

  1. Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding and not planning to become pregnant during the first 3 months after study vaccine/placebo injections
  2. Negative pregnancy test for women at screening, prior to vaccination (same day), and prior to any of the invasive procedures
  3. Be using an adequate birth control method for 45 days prior to receipt of vaccine/placebo and for at least 3 months after receipt of the vaccine/placebo. Adequate birth control is defined as follows: Contraceptive medications delivered orally, intramuscularly, vaginally, or implanted, underneath the skin, surgical methods (hysterectomy or bilateral tubal ligation), condoms, diaphragms, intrauterine device, or abstinence
* Male-Specific Criteria:

  1. Be using an adequate birth control method for at least 3 months after receipt of the vaccine/placebo. For non-vasectomized male participants with female partners of child-bearing potential this includes the use of condoms or abstinence and/or their partner's use of contraceptive medications delivered orally, intramuscularly, vaginally, or implanted, underneath the skin, surgical methods (hysterectomy or bilateral tubal ligation), diaphragms, or intrauterine device.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Asplenia: any condition resulting in the absence of a functional spleen
* Bleeding disorder diagnosed by a medical doctor (e.g., factor deficiency, coagulopathy, or platelet disorder requiring special precautions)
* History of allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, or other serious adverse reaction to vaccines or components of the vaccines
* Volunteer has received any of the following substances:

  1. Chronic use of therapies that may modify immune response, such as IV immune globulin and systemic corticosteroids (in doses of \> 20 mg/day prednisone equivalent for periods exceeding 10 days) Note: The following exceptions are permitted and will not exclude study participation: use of corticosteroid nasal spray for rhinitis, topical corticosteroids for an acute uncomplicated dermatitis; or a short course (duration of 10 days or less, or a single injection) of corticosteroid for a non-chronic condition (based on investigator clinical judgment) at least 14 days prior to enrollment in this study
  2. Blood products within 120 days prior to HIV screening
  3. Immunoglobulins within 30 days prior to HIV screening
  4. Any licensed vaccine within 14 days prior to study vaccine administration in the present study
  5. Receipt of any investigational HIV vaccine other than RV306 products
  6. Investigational research agents or vaccine within 30 days prior to enrollment in the present study
  7. Receipt of a Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine that has been given Emergency Use Authorization (or those that become licensed) by the Thai FDA within 14 days prior to study vaccine administration in the present study Note: Volunteers receiving a COVID-19 vaccine that requires 2 doses will not be enrolled until 14 days after the second dose has been administered
  8. Anti-tuberculosis prophylaxis or therapy during the past 90 days prior to enrollment
* Active sexually transmitted infection confirmed by clinical exam and diagnostic test
* Any medical, psychiatric, social condition, occupational reason, or other responsibility that, in the judgment of the investigator, is a contradiction to protocol compliance or impairs a volunteer's ability to give informed consent
* Psychiatric condition that precludes compliance with the protocol; past or present psychoses; past or present bipolar disorder; disorder requiring lithium; or within 5 years prior to enrollment, a history of suicide ideation or attempt
* Study site employees who are involved in the protocol and/or may have direct access to study related area

Determination of a participants eligibility will be completed at screening. Final evaluation of eligibility will be based on the medical judgment of the principal investigator or designee based on his/her medical and research experience.

Where this trial is running

Bangkok and 1 other locations

• Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences — Bangkok, Thailand (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Mahidol University — Bangkok, Thailand (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Punnee Pitisuttithum, MD — Mahidol University
• Study coordinator: Punnee Pitisuttithum, MD

Conditions: HIV, HIV Vaccines