Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 1 Interventional Ages 18 to 50

Testing a new Shigella vaccine with an adjuvant in healthy adults

Official title: Phase Ia/b Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Dose Escalating Safety Study of Detoxified Shigella Flexneri 2a Artificial Invasin Complex (InvaplexAR-Detox) Vaccine Formulated with and Without DmLT Adjuvant Given Intramuscularly to Healthy Adults in the Netherlands and Zambia

Run by Leiden University Medical Center · NCT05961059 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new Shigella vaccine to see if it works better with a special booster in healthy adults.

More Shigellosis trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 50 Years
SexAll
Enrollment85 (estimated)
SponsorLeiden University Medical Center
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Leiden)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 10, 2024
Main results expectedMay 2025
Study endsMay 2025
Registry record updatedNovember 7, 2024
Trial IDNCT05961059 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adults aged 18 to 50 who are willing to participate and meet the eligibility criteria.

Probably not a fit

Patients with active Shigella infection or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and immune response of a new Shigella vaccine called InvaplexAR-Detox, both with and without an adjuvant known as dmLT. Healthy adult participants will receive three vaccinations spaced 28 days apart, and the study will compare the immune responses of those receiving the vaccine alone, the vaccine with the adjuvant, and a placebo group. The trial is designed to assess the vaccine's tolerability and its ability to stimulate the immune system effectively. The research is particularly focused on addressing the challenges of developing effective vaccines for Shigella, especially in vulnerable populations.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could significantly reduce the incidence of shigellosis and improve public health outcomes in endemic regions.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar vaccine approaches, but this specific combination of vaccine and adjuvant is novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy adult, male or female, aged 18 to 50 years (inclusive) at the time of inclusion (=vaccination).
2. Provide written informed consent before initiation of any study procedures.
3. Available to complete all study visits and procedures.
4. Negative stool PCR test for Shigella.
5. Women of childbearing potential: negative pregnancy test at screening and before each study vaccine administration. Women are considered not of childbearing potential if they are postmenopausal (no menses for 12 months without an alternative medical cause), or if they have no uterus or no ovaries. Women of childbearing potential must agree to use continuous adequate contraception to avoid pregnancy during the study, for at least 4 weeks before the first vaccination and for 3 months following the last vaccine dose.

Adequate methods of contraception for this study include:

1\. hormonal contraception

1. combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, or transdermal)
2. progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, or implantable) 2. intrauterine device (IUD) 3. intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS) 4. bilateral tubal occlusion/litigation procedure 5. vasectomized partner (the vasectomized partner should be the sole male sexual partner for that participant).

   6\. sexual abstinence (defined as refraining from heterosexual intercourse from signing the informed consent until 3 months after the last vaccine dose).
   1. Any history or evidence of clinically relevant chronic medical conditions (such as: psychiatric conditions, diabetes mellitus, hypertension \[treated by medication\], autoimmune disorders, immunodeficiencies, cardiovascular, renal disease or inflammatory bowel disease). Trial physicians (in consultation with the principal investigator) will use clinical judgement on a case-by-case basis to assess safety risks under this criterion.
   2. Current use of immunosuppressive medications (except for antihistamines and topical or inhalation corticosteroids).
   3. Women who are a) currently nursing or b) who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period plus 3 months beyond the last vaccine dose.
   4. Participation in research involving another investigational product (defined as receipt of an investigational product or exposure to an invasive investigational device) 30 days before the first vaccination or anytime through the last in-clinic study safety visit.
   5. Positive blood test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
   6. Clinically significant abnormalities on basic laboratory screening tests.
   7. Systemic antimicrobial treatment (i.e., topical treatments are not an exclusion criterion) within 1 week before the first vaccine dose (temporary exclusion).
   8. Known hypersensitivity to compounds in the vaccine or adjuvant or other known drug allergies that may increase the risk of adverse events.
   9. Regular use (weekly or more often) of antidiarrheal, anti-constipation, or antacid therapy.
   10. Abnormal stool pattern (fewer than 3 stools per week or more than 3 stools per day) on a regular basis; loose or liquid stools on other than an occasional basis.
   11. Personal or family history of inflammatory arthritis.
   12. Proven allergy to any substance in the InvaplexAR-Detox vaccine or dmLT or history of anaphylactic reaction to any other vaccine.
   13. Exclusionary skin disease history/findings that would confound assessment or prevent appropriate monitoring of local AEs, or possibly increase the risk of local AEs.
   14. Recent (\<3 months) history of gastroenteritis.
   15. Received previous licensed or experimental Shigella vaccine, dmLT or live Shigella challenge.
   16. Any severe medical condition that might place the participant at increased risk of adverse events according to the clinical judgment of the study clinicians in consultation with the PI.
   17. Any planned vaccination within 14 days before the first vaccine dose until the last in-clinic study visit, with the exception of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines or influenza vaccines.

Where it's running

  • Leiden University Medical Center
    Leiden, Netherlands
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.