Shingrix Vaccine in Patients With Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis on Tofacitinib

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have been shown to be at increased risk of developing certain infections, such as shingles from the Herpes Zoster (HZ) virus, as a result of their underlying disease. Patients with UC are also often treated with immunosuppressants, and research has shown that IBD patients on immunosuppressants have an impaired immune response to vaccination in comparison to immunocompetent controls. Because UC patients are often treated with immunosuppressants, the live HZ vaccine was not recommended in these patients. Shingrix, however, is a new inactivated vaccine recently approved by the FDA for prevention of HZ in adults age 50 and older, and Shingrix should be safe to administer in IBD patients because it does not contain live HZ virus. Data on efficacy of the Shingrix vaccine also appears promising in immunocompromised patients.

Tofacitinib citrate (Xeljanz), an immunosuppressant that works by inhibiting the Janus kinase pathway, is currently approved for treatment of certain inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug is currently awaiting FDA-approval for use in moderate-to-severe UC but has been used off-label in various settings. Notably, tofacitinib was associated with an increased risk of HZ in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

The research hypothesis is that UC patients on tofacitinib will mount an adequate response and that the response will be slightly diminished compared to non-immunosuppressed IBD patients, comparable to those on anti-tumor necrosis alpha (anti-TNF) monotherapy, and superior to those on anti-TNF therapy in combination with a thiopurine. Strong cell mediated immunity is shown to prevent reactivation of HZ, and demonstrating a robust immune response to Shingrix may serve as a surrogate for a reduced risk of developing shingles and might alleviate prescribers' concerns regarding the use of tofacitinib. The results will also serve as pilot data to inform larger future studies evaluating the actual risk of developing shingles in patients on tofacitinib who receive Shingrix.

The purpose of this study is to determine the immune response from the new Shingrix vaccine in UC patients on tofacitinib monotherapy in comparison to other UC therapies. the investigators plan to determine this by vaccinating IBD patients on (a) tofacitinib monotherapy, (b) anti-TNF monotherapy, (c) anti-TNF combination therapy with a thiopurine, or (d) aminosalicylates or other non-immunosuppressive therapy with the new Shingrix vaccine and measuring markers of cell-mediated immunity before vaccination and at one and six months after the last vaccine dose. Cell-mediated immunity will be measured with an interferon gamma (IFNγ) enzyme linked immunospot (ELISPOT) test to assess T-cell response. Humoral immunity will also be measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit to quantify antibody concentrations of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), the pathogen that when reactivated results in shingles.

The study population will include adult patients aged 50 or older with UC (diagnosed by standard clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, and histopathologic criteria) receiving care at Boston Medical Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, or University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. There is no randomization or use of placebo in this study. Four study groups (each containing 25 subjects) will be established -- 1. Group A - UC patients on tofacitinib monotherapy. 2. Group B - UC patients receiving anti-TNF monotherapy (adalimumab, golimumab, infliximab). 3. Group C - UC patients on an anti-TNF agent and a thiopurine (6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine). Group D - UC patients on non-immunosuppressive therapy or 5-aminosalicylates. For each subject, 3 total samples will be collected.

Methods: Eligible patients with UC will be recruited from the Center for Digestive Diseases at Boston Medical Center, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, or the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. Patients will be screened for participation in the study and recruited by their primary gastroenterologist. In clinic, a handout of the risks and benefits of the clinically indicated vaccine (Shingrix) will be given to each patient from their primary gastroenterologist for their review. Patients will have the opportunity to opt in or out of the study early in the consent process upon review of the handout. If a patient elects to participate in the study, patients will sign the consent, be entered into the study with assignment of a Subject ID number, and complete the initial study assessments:

Subject contacts:

* 1 - Baseline/Enrollment Visit 1 (Day 0): Subjects will have a comprehensive medical history and physical exam performed, including vaccination history and all medications over past 30 days. They will also complete a Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) questionnaire. A baseline blood sample of approximately 20mL (4 tablespoons) will then be obtained. If proof of past varicella infection is met by appropriate history, subjects will receive the Shingrix vaccine indicated based on their vaccination history as recommended by their gastroenterologist; otherwise subjects will follow-up in 1 week to review confirmatory serology results and receive vaccine if indicated. The Shingrix vaccine will be given in a two-dose series (0.5 mL each) administered intramuscularly -first dose at Month 0 followed by a second dose anytime between 2 and 6 months later. Subjects will be instructed to call the study team for any concerns or any development of fever, chills, rash or other concerning symptom.
* 2- Follow up Visit 2 (approximately day 7): This visit is only needed for patients who require serologic confirmation of past varicella infection, therefore patients who meet proof for past varicella infection by appropriate history do not require serologic confirmation and will NOT be scheduled for this visit. Subjects will review results of the VZV antibody level test with their provider. If VZV antibody levels are positive, subjects will receive the Shingrix vaccine indicated based on their vaccination history as recommended by their gastroenterologist. Subjects will be instructed to call the study team for any concerns or any development of fever, chills, rash or other concerning symptom.
* 3 - Follow up Phone Call 1 (approximately day 14): Subjects will receive a follow-up phone call to identify any adverse effects including fevers or chills, rash, and visits to the emergency room or to their primary care physicians. They will also be reminded about their follow up visit.
* 4 - Follow up Visit 3 (approximately day 60): Subjects will complete a SCCAI questionnaire, and information will be collected to identify any adverse effects including fevers or chills, rash, and visits to the emergency room or to their primary care physician. The 2nd dose of the Shingrix vaccine will be administered.
* 5 - Follow up Phone Call 2 (approximately day 72): Subjects will receive a follow-up phone call to identify any adverse effects including fevers or chills, rash, and visits to the emergency room or to their primary care physicians. They will also be reminded about their follow up visit.
* 6 - Follow up Visit 4 (approximately day 90): Subjects will complete a SCCAI questionnaire, and information will be collected to identify any adverse effects including fevers or chills, rash, and visits to the emergency room or to their primary care physician. A blood sample of approximately 20mL (4 tablespoons) will then be obtained.
* 7 - Follow up Visit 5 (approximately day 240): Subjects will complete a SCCAI questionnaire, and information will be collected to identify any adverse effects including fevers or chills, rash, and visits to the emergency room or to their primary care physician. A blood sample of approximately 20mL (4 tablespoons) will then be obtained.

The entire procedure will be identically performed at the additional sites outside of Boston Medical Center. Subjects' duration of participation will range from 8 to 12 months, depending on when the 2nd vaccine dose is administered.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Proof of primary varicella infection (chicken pox) either by appropriate history (as defined by ACIP) or otherwise confirmed with a positive VZV IgG antibody level
2. Patient has a history of ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosed by standard clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, and histopathologic criteria
3. Patient is receiving one of the following treatments for their UC:

Group A: Tofacitinib monotherapy, Group B: Anti-TNF monotherapy (adalimumab, golimumab, certolizumab pegol, infliximab), Group C: Anti-TNF combination therapy with a thiopurine (6 mercaptopurine, azathioprine), Group D: 5-aminosalicylates or other non-immunomodulatory therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous receipt of any HZ vaccine
2. Allergy to zoster vaccine or a component of the vaccine
3. Other underlying chronic medical conditions that could affect immunogenicity to vaccines (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis etc.)
4. History of herpes zoster infection or post herpetic neuralgia
5. Patient cannot or will not provide written informed consent
6. Patient is on a non-licensed or experimental immunomodulator
7. Patient is on methotrexate
8. Patient has received immunoglobulin therapy or blood products with the past month
9. Currently pregnant