Immunogenicity of Influenza, Pneumococcal and Hepatitis B Vaccines in IBD Patients Treated With Vedolizumab

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are often treated with medications that suppress the immune system. These patients are therefore at increased risk for developing infections, such as influenza, pneumonia, and hepatitis B, which may be prevented by vaccination. While awareness is increasing among gastroenterologists of the importance of vaccinations in the IBD patient, there continues to be some question of the effectiveness of vaccination in immunosuppressed patients. It has been previously shown that patients on immunosuppressive therapy with certain biologic medications (the TNF-blockers: infliximab and adalimumab) had an impaired immune response to vaccination as compared to healthy controls, as the mechanism of immunosuppression for these agents is systemic. Vedolizumab, a biologic medication for CD and UC approved in May 2014, targets the α4β7 integrin, a key component of gut immunity, and as such it has been hypothesized that with this agent effects are gut specific. There is limited data that suggests that in healthy patients given vedolizumab do not have an altered response to parentally administered vaccines, however there are no studies in the CD and UC population describing this. Additionally, IBD patients treated with vedolizumab are frequently also on concomitant therapy with an immunomodulator (6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, or methotrexate), and these patients ability to mount an immune response has not been demonstrated.

The purpose of this study is to determine immune response rates to (a) influenza, (b) pneumococcal, and (c) hepatitis B vaccines in IBD patients receiving vedolizumab therapy compared to patients on other therapies for IBD.

Four study groups will be established -- 1. Group A - IBD patients on vedolizumab monotherapy. 2. Group B - IBD patients receiving combination treatment with vedolizumab and concomitant immunomodulator therapt (methotrexate, azathioprine, or 6-mercaptopurine). 3. Group C - IBD patients on other biologic therapy (infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab, and ustekinumab). 4. Group D - IBD patients not taking any immunosuppressive therapy. Patients in all groups should have been on stable treatment for IBD for at least three months.

For each of the four vaccines included in this study (influenza, PCV-13, PSV-23, hepatitis B), a total of 220 samples will be collected. Given that more than one of these vaccines may be clinically indicated for an individual patient, a single patient may receive more than one vaccine, and therefore can be included in the immune response analysis for each vaccine they receive.

Once the subject has signed consent and enrolled in the study, the following procedures will take place:

Baseline/enrollment visit: The subject will have a comprehensive medical history and physical exam performed at their baseline clinic visit. During this visit they will also fill out the 10 question IBD quality of life questionnaire, a baseline serum sample will be obtained, and then receive the vaccine(s) indicated based on their vaccination history. These vaccines include, for pneumococcal pneumonia - PSV-23 and PCV-13 (both given as a single dose of 0.5 mL intramuscularly in the deltoid region of the upper arm), for influenza - Afluria or Fluzone for patients over 65 year of ago (both given as a single dose of 0.5 mL intramuscularly in the deltoid region of the upper arm), and for hepatitis B - Energix (administered in a three dose series with 1.0 mL given at 0, 1, and 6 months, or for patients receiving a booster a single intramuscular dose of 1.0 mL will be given). Subjects will be instructed to call the study team for any concerns or any development of fever, chills, rash or other concerning symptom.

Follow up phone call: Subjects will receive a follow-up phone call 2 weeks after vaccination to identify any adverse effects including fevers or chills, rash, and visits to the emergency room or to their primary care physicians.

Follow up visit: At 3-4 weeks after vaccination, patients will have a visit where serum will again be obtained. Patients will also be asked about any adverse events such as fevers or vaccine reactions, as well as complete the 10 question IBD quality of life questionnaire (IBDQ).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult patients aged 18-75 with IBD (diagnosed by standard clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, and histopathologic criteria) receiving care at Boston Medical Center, Center for Digestive Disorders.
2. Patients receiving one of the following treatments for their IBD - vedolizumab monotherapy, combination treatment with vedolizumab and concomitant immunomodulator therapy (methotrexate, azathioprine, or 6-mercaptopurine), combination treatment with a TNF inhibitor and concomitant immunomodulator therapy (methotrexate, azathioprine, or 6-mercaptopurine), or no immunosuppressive therapy (these patients may be taking oral or topical 5-aminosalicylates). Patients in all groups should have been on stable treatment for IBD for at least three months.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any patients with prior vaccination with the intended vaccine, with the exception of those receiving a hepatitis B booster.
2. Any patient with an allergy to the vaccine components.
3. Patients who cannot provide informed consent.
4. Patients who are being administered any non-licensed or experimental immunomodulators
5. Patients taking steroids orally or intravenously (more than 20mg prednisone or equivalent dose of other corticosteroids) for at least 10 days, within the 30 days prior to vaccination.
6. Patients who have received immunoglobulin therapy or blood products within the past one month.