Study of the Safety and Immunogenicity of an Adenovirus-based Tuberculosis Vaccine

The purpose of this Phase 1 study is to evaluate the safety and immune responses of a new tuberculosis vaccine, Ad5Ag85A, administered to healthy volunteers. 48 subjects will be recruited, 24 who have previously been vaccinated with BCG and 24 who have not received BCG vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine will be compared.

As the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic continues, the incidence of latent and active TB is expected to rise. HIV-infected persons are especially susceptible to TB. An improved TB vaccine over the present BCG vaccine is needed.

The general objectives of our TB vaccine research program are to develop a safe and effective vaccine for persons who at increased risk of contracting TB or reactivating latent tuberculosis and develop a safe booster vaccine for persons who have been previously vaccinated with BCG.

This is an open-labeled phase 1 single institution trial investigating a recombinant genetic TB vaccine AdAg85A given by intramuscular injection in healthy subjects with or without a history of BCG vaccination. Ad5Ag85A is a recombinant replication-deficient adenoviral vector expressing an M. tuberculosis immunogenic antigen Ag85A. We have shown that it is safe, immunogenic and associated with enhanced protection against challenge with virulent M Tb in murine, bovine and guinea pig models. Clinical grade AdAg85A has been manufactured by the Robert E Fitzhenry Vector Laboratory, Centre for Gene Therapeutics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The effect of pre-existing adenovirus antibodies on the safety and immunogenicity of the recombinant AdTB vaccine will be evaluated and the results of the PPD skin test following vaccination evaluated in a subset of subjects with a history of a negative PPD skin test.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy human subjects who are between 18 and 55 years of age with or without a history of BCG vaccination.
* HIV antibody negative
* For women, negative pregnancy test and practising two acceptable forms of contraception for the duration of the study (barrier contraceptive, birth control pill, surgically sterile, post-menopausal 2yrs, abstinence)
* For men, using barrier contraception for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or lactating women
* Subjects who have any acute or chronic illnesses including active tuberculosis or receiving any drug treatment in the opinion of the investigator likely to affect the immune system.
* Subjects with symptoms suggestive of an upper respiratory tract infection (including cough, runny nose, or sore throat)
* Subjects who have a history of active or latent TB infection or whose PBMCs are strongly responsive to ESAT6/CFP10 stimulation using a commercial interferon gamma release assay for TB \[consistent with latent TB infection\].
* Subjects who have laboratory values outside the normal range.
* Not available for scheduled follow-up visits. Subjects enrolled in the trial must be followed at 7 days, and then at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks post-vaccination.
* Failure to provide written consent.
* Known allergy to vaccine components
* Known exposure to active TB within past 6 months or subjects whose occupation puts them at increased risk of TB exposure (based on Hamilton Health Science/St Joseph Healthcare list of high risk personnel)
* Any abnormality on chest x-ray suggestive of active or remote tuberculosis infection.
* PPD skin test within last 12 months
* BCG status unknown