The Effect of Alendronate on the Immune Response to Hepatitis B Vaccine in Healthy Adults

Vaccines are one of our most effective public health tools but many who need them don't respond well and are not protected. Adjuvants boost immune responses and are commonly included in vaccine preparations. Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed treatment for osteoporosis and may represent a new class of adjuvant. Bisphosphonates are well tolerated with chronic administration and have very few adverse effects. Research suggests that these medications can stimulate the immune system.

Bisphosphonates are of special interest in populations with impaired immunity and an inability to amount protective antibody responses following immunizations. We propose a pilot study to evaluate the clinical relevance of this finding in humans. We will study the effect of bisphosphonates on quantitative humoral immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in healthy older volunteers who have not previously received this vaccine.

Background: Immunization is one of the most beneficial and cost-effective disease prevention measures available, but is not always efficacious, especially in older and immunosuppressed populations. This commonly encountered failure to produce protective antibodies following immunization leaves large parts of the population vulnerable to serious morbidity and mortality resulting from potentially preventable communicable diseases. Bisphosphonates, a commonly prescribed treatment for osteoporosis that is well tolerated with few adverse effects, has recently been shown to enhance B cell expansion and antibody production after vaccination in mice, and may represent a new vaccine adjuvant.

Aims: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effect of bisphosphonates on the immune response to vaccination in adults using two complementary research methodologies:

1. Evaluating the effect of bisphosphonates on quantitative humoral immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in healthy older volunteers through a randomized clinical trial.
2. Evaluating the effect of bisphosphonate treatment on protection against influenza and influenza-like illness after seasonal Influenza immunization in the adult population through a population-level retrospective analysis.

Methods: The first part of the study consists of a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study in which 20 healthy adults 40-70 years of age who are seronegative for Hepatitis B, will be randomized to receive either two doses of intramuscular hepatitis B vaccine with alendronate or hepatitis B vaccine with placebo. The primary outcome evaluated will be quantitative anti-HB surface IgG antibody titers in the study group compared to the placebo group at week 8 and at 6 months. The second part of the study is a retrospective population based case-control study utilizing extensive available data repositories. Rates of influenza, influenza-like illness and lower respiratory tract infections per 1000 subjects will be ascertained and compared between study and control populations for each year, while adjusting for potential confounders.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subject willing to undergo hepatitis B vaccination AND be randomized to receive 4 doses of alendronate or placebo
* Age 40-70
* Able to consent for self - ascertained by physician assessment at time of history and exam.
* Chronic stable medical conditions, if well controlled on current therapies are allowed. For example individuals with well-controlled angina, hypertension, diabetes on oral agents, treated or past depression or anxiety, COPD, asthma, metabolic syndrome, NASH, mild chronic renal insufficiency, past history of malignancy, with no therapy for at least 5 years may be included.
* Willing to use contraception, if a woman of child-bearing potential (WOCBP)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy
* Prior Hepatitis B infection OR vaccination
* Autoimmune disorders of any kind (e.g. multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Psoriasis etc.)
* HIV or Hepatitis C seropositive
* Any known immunodeficiency (decompensated cirrhosis, HIV/AIDS, prior bone marrow transplant, or other known immunodeficiency)
* Patients on any immunosuppressive agents including systemic corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, lymphocyte depleting biologic agents, anti-TNF agents, and others; chemotherapeutic anti-neoplastic agents within 5 years. Stable doses of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma/COPD are allowed.
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, chronic proton pump inhibitors, chronic antacid use
* Chronic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use; daily ASA for cardiac prophylaxis is allowed.
* Esophageal disorders of any kind
* Recent major dental work in the preceding 6 months, excluding dental cleaning and simple cavity filling
* History of jaw trauma
* Current or prior bisphosphonate use
* Prior history of severe reactions to vaccines
* Yeast or bisphosphonate allergy
* History of hypocalcemia
* Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes.
* Any malabsorptive disorder including celiac disease, CF, Inflammatory bowel disease, recurrent C. difficile colitis, other colitis, prior gastrectomy, bariatric surgery or chronic diarrhea.
* Diabetes requiring insulin
* Body mass index \> 31