A Study of AdCh63 ME-TRAP Alone and With MVA ME-TRAP

This is an open label phase I study, to assess the safety of a novel malaria vaccine, AdCh63 ME-TRAP, simian adenovirus encoding Plasmodium falciparum antigens. This follows promising phase I clinical studies of MVA ME-TRAP and preclinical studies of AdCh63 and MVA ME-TRAP used together in prime-boost regimes. All volunteers recruited will be healthy adults. They will be primed with various doses of AdCh63 ME-TRAP administered intradermally or intramuscularly. Some of the volunteers will receive a booster vaccination with MVA ME-TRAP at various doses administered via the intradermal or intramuscular route. Safety data will be collected for each of the eight regimens. Secondary aims of this study will be to assess the immune responses generated by each of these regimes.

ME-TRAP insert contains a fusion protein of multiple epitopes (ME) and the Plasmodium falciparum pre-erythrocytic thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (TRAP). The 'ME' is a string of 20 epitopes fused to the thrombospondin-related adhesion protein. TRAP was selected as it is well characterized and has a protective homologue in rodents. We have safely administered ME-TRAP to over 700 volunteers in the UK and Africa.

MVA vector proved to be non-contagious and avirulent. Viral replication is blocked late during infection of cells but importantly viral and recombinant protein synthesis is unimpaired even during this abortive infection. Replication-deficient recombinant MVA has been viewed as an exceptionally safe viral vector. When tested in animal model studies recombinant MVAs have been shown to be avirulent, yet protectively immunogenic as vaccines against viral diseases and cancer. Recent studies in macaques severely immuno-suppressed by SIV infection have further supported the view that MVA should be safe in immuno-compromised humans.

Simian adenoviruses have not been used previously in a clinical trial in humans. However, they are under active development as vaccines for HIV, (by GSK), and for HCV, (Merck).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy adults aged 18 to 50 years
* Able and willing (in the Investigator's opinion) to comply with all study requirements
* Willing to allow the investigators to discuss the volunteer's medical history with their General Practitioner
* Willing to use barrier contraception until three months after the last vaccination
* For females only negative pregnancy test on the day(s) of vaccination
* Agreement to refrain from blood donation during the course of the study
* Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participation in another research study involving an investigational product in the 30 days preceding enrolment, or planned use during the study period
* Prior receipt of a recombinant MVA vaccine containing a relevant antigen (for those in B groups) or adenoviral vaccine, (all volunteers).
* Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the three months preceding the planned administration of the vaccine candidate
* Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state, including HIV infection; asplenia; recurrent, severe infections and chronic (more than 14 days) immunosuppressant medication within the past 6 months (inhaled and topical steroids are allowed)
* History of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the vaccine, e.g. egg products, Kathon.
* History of clinically significant contact dermatitis
* Any history of anaphylaxis in reaction to vaccination
* History of cancer (except basal cell carcinoma of the skin and cervical carcinoma in situ)
* History of serious psychiatric condition
* Any other serious chronic illness requiring hospital specialist supervision
* Suspected or known current alcohol abuse as defined by an alcohol intake of greater than 42 units every week
* Suspected or known injecting drug abuse
* Seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
* Seropositive for hepatitis C virus (antibodies to HCV)
* Seropositive for simian adenovirus 63 (antibodies to AdCh63) at a titre \>1 ;200
* Pregnancy, lactation or willingness/intention to become pregnant during the study
* Any other significant disease, disorder or finding, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the volunteer at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the result of the study, or the volunteer's ability to participate in the study.
* Any history of malaria or
* Travel to a malaria endemic region during the study period or within the previous six months
* Any clinically significant abnormal finding on screening biochemistry or haematology blood tests or urinalysis
* Any other finding which in the opinion of the investigators would significantly increase the risk of having an adverse outcome from participating in the protocol.