Safety and Efficacy Study of a Vaccine Against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli (ETEC) to Prevent Moderate to Severe Diarrhea

This is a research study about an experimental (investigational) vaccine called ACE527. ACE527 is a vaccine that is being made to prevent disease from a germ called enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). This germ causes diarrhea, largely in children living in developing countries and in travelers to those countries. One purpose of this study is to see if the vaccine is safe and develops an immune response. Another purpose is to see if it prevents people from getting sick when exposed to the ETEC germ. This ETEC germ is also experimental (investigational).

This is a single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II vaccination and challenge study designed to assess the protective efficacy of the ACE 527 vaccine, as well as collect expanded safety and immunogenicity data. The study will be carried out in two phases. In the initial vaccination phase, up to 72 subjects will be randomized 1:1 to receive either ACE527 or placebo on an outpatient basis. Vaccine and placebo preparations will be given orally. Following vaccination, subjects will be followed as out-patients for safety using diary card surveillance, for vaccine shedding by qualitative stool culture (i.e. presence or absence) and for the development of local and systemic antibody responses to the ACE527 vaccine strains. In the subsequent inpatient challenge phase, up to 56 vaccinated subjects will be admitted as inpatients and challenged with the ETEC strain, H10407. The challenge dose will be administered orally.After challenge, subjects will be monitored for diarrhea and other signs/symptoms of enteric illness by daily medical checks, vital sign determinations, grading and weighing of all stools. Monitoring for fecal shedding of the challenge ETEC strain H10407 will occur daily, after challenge, while in-patient. Local and systemic antibody responses to the challenge ETEC strain H10407 will also be assessed. All subjects will be treated with Abx.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion criteria:

* Male or female age ≥18 and ≤ 50 years.
* General good health, without clinically significant medical history, physical examination findings or clinical laboratory abnormalities per clinical judgment of PI.
* Negative serum pregnancy test before first (visit V0) and before challenge (visit C0) for female subjects of childbearing potential. Females of childbearing potential must agree to use an efficacious hormonal or barrier method of birth control during the study. Abstinence is acceptable. Female subjects unable to bear children must have this documented (e.g. tubal ligation or hysterectomy) or must have negative pregnancy tests.
* Willingness to participate in the study after all aspects of the protocol have been explained and written informed consent obtained.
* Completion of a training session and demonstrated comprehension of the protocol procedures, knowledge of ETEC-associated illness, and by passing a written examination.
* Availability for the study duration, including all planned follow-up visits.

Exclusion criteria:

* Presence of a significant medical or psychiatric condition which in the opinion of the investigator precludes participation in the study. Some medical conditions which are adequately treated and stable would not preclude entry into the study. These conditions might include stable asthma controlled with inhalers or mild hypertension stably controlled with a single agent.
* Significant abnormalities in screening hematology, serum chemistry or urinalysis as determined by PI or PI in consultation with the MM and sponsor.
* Presence in the serum of HIV antibody, HBsAg, or HCV antibody.
* Evidence of IgA deficiency (serum IgA \< 7 mg/dl or limit of detection of assay).
* Evidence of current excessive alcohol consumption or drug dependence.
* Evidence of impaired immune function.
* BMI \<19, \>34
* Recent vaccination or receipt of an investigational product (within 30 days before vaccination).
* Intention to donate blood or blood products for one month following the completion of study participation (note: The Red Cross will not allow blood donations for 1 year following participation in an investigational research study).
* Any other criteria which, in the investigator's opinion, would compromise the ability of the subject to participate in the study, the safety of the study, or the results of the study
* Working as a food handler, in child-care or as a healthcare worker with direct patient contact.
* Have household contacts who are \<2 years old or \>80 years old or infirm or immunocompromised (for reasons including corticosteroid therapy, HIV infection, cancer chemotherapy, or other chronic debilitating disease).
* Abnormal stool pattern (fewer than 3 per week or more than 3 per day).
* Regular use of laxatives, antacids, or other agents to lower stomach acidity.
* Use of any medication known to affect the immune function (e.g., corticosteroids and others) within 30 days preceding the first vaccination or planned use during the active study period.
* Known allergy to two of the following antibiotics: quinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and penicillin.
* Symptoms consistent with Traveler's Diarrhea concurrent with travel to countries where ETEC infection is endemic (most of the developing world) within two years prior to dosing, OR planned travel to endemic countries during the length of the study.
* Vaccination for or ingestion of ETEC, cholera, or LT toxin within 3 years prior to dosing.
* Use of antibiotics during the 7 days before dosing or proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers or antacids within 48 hours prior to dosing.
* History of diarrhea in the 7 days prior to vaccination (outpatient diarrhea is defined as ≥ 3 unformed loose stools in 24 hours).