Clinical trial NCT03771157
Conditions: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM)
Keywords: shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) Pilot Study
Sponsor: University of Rochester
Start date: 2019-02-01; Completion date: 2022-08-03
Enrollment: 33 participants; Allocation: NA; Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP

Brief summary:
The primary objective of the study is to assess the capability of a patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) or Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) to generate an immune response to the Shingrix vaccine under first-line BTK inhibitors.

Detailed description:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) are known risk factors for zoster reactivation, commonly called shingles. Although a recently FDA-approved recombinant, adjuvanted herpes zoster vaccine (Shingrix) is currently being offered to these populations, no study has specifically evaluated them.

The purpose of the study is to complete a single-arm trial evaluating if patients with CLL or WM, while on treatment with first-line BTK inhibitors, can achieve immunologic response to Shingrix. If effective, this will result in a new, well-tolerated shingles prevention strategy for these patients.

The primary objective is to assess the capability to mount a humoral immune response to Shingrix in patients with CLL or WM under first-line BTK inhibitors.

Arms: arm 1: On day one, patients will receive the first of two doses of the Shingrix vaccine administered as an injection into the muscle in their upper arm. The second dose of vaccine will be administered as an injection to their upper arm approximately 2 months after the first dose.
Interventions: intervention 1: Shingrix vaccine
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: On day one, patients will receive the first of two doses of the Shingrix vaccine administered as an injection into the muscle in their upper arm. The second dose of vaccine will be administered as an injection to their upper arm approximately 2 months after the first dose.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_001.pdf: 
Study Protocol 
Title: 
Sponsor: 
Investigator:  
NCT:  
Version Date: 
Serologic Response to a New Recombinant, Adjuvanted Herpes 
Zoster Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 
and Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia Treated with First-Line 
BTK inhibitors – A Pilot Study 
University of Rochester Medical Center 
Jonathan Friedberg, MD 
03771157 
22SEP2020 


Page 1 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
Serologic Response to a New Recombinant, Adjuvanted 
Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic 
Leukemia and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia Treated with 
First-Line BTK Inhibitors – A Pilot Study 
Principal Investigator – Jonathan W Friedberg, University of 
Rochester 
Protocol version September 22, 2020 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
Summary of Changes 
 
Section 
Change 
General 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, collection of the 1-year 
post-vaccination blood draw was not possible. The 
amendment will allow for a delayed blood collection and 
chart review at 24-months post-vaccination to replace the 
1-year time point.  
 
 


Page 3 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
 
 
Table of Contents 
 
 
 
PROTOCOL SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 5 
STUDY DIAGRAM ...................................................................................................................... 6 
1. 
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY AND BACKGROUND ............................................................. 7 
1.1. 
Purpose of the study .................................................................................................................. 7 
1.2. 
Background ................................................................................................................................. 7 
2. 
STUDY DESIGN .................................................................................................................. 9 
2.1. 
Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 9 
2.2. 
Rationale for Study Design ........................................................................................................ 9 
2.3. 
Rationale for Dosage ................................................................................................................ 10 
3. 
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESEARCH POPULATION .............................................. 10 
3.1. 
Subject Characteristics ............................................................................................................ 10 
3.2. 
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria ............................................................................................. 11 
3.3. 
Discussion of Subject Population ........................................................................................... 12 
4. 
SUBJECT IDENTIFICATION, RECRUITMENT AND CONSENT ...................................... 12 
4.1. 
Method of Subject Identification and Recruitment ................................................................ 12 
4.2. 
Process of Consent .................................................................................................................. 13 
5. 
METHODS AND STUDY PROCEDURES ......................................................................... 13 
5.1. 
Treatment Dosage and Administration ................................................................................... 15 
5.2. 
Efficacy Assessments .............................................................................................................. 15 
a. 
Safety Assessments ..................................................................................................................... 16 
b. 
Assessment of Subject Compliance ........................................................................................... 16 
c. 
Costs to the Subject ..................................................................................................................... 16 
d. 
Payment for Participation ............................................................................................................. 16 
e. 
Return of Individual Research Results ....................................................................................... 16 
6. 
CONCOMITANT AND DISALLOWED MEDICATIONS ..................................................... 16 
7. 
SUBJECT WITHDRAWALS .............................................................................................. 17 
8. 
STUDY DRUG/DEVICE/BIOLOGIC ADMINISTRATION/ASSIGNMENT .......................... 17 
8.1. 
Study Drug/Device/Biologic ..................................................................................................... 17 
8.2. 
Dosage of Study Drug/Biologic ............................................................................................... 17 
8.3. 
Accountability of Investigational Supplies ............................................................................. 17 
8.4. 
Subject Withdrawal of Study Drug .......................................................................................... 18 
9. 
SAFETY AND REPORTABLE EVENTS ........................................................................... 18 
9.1. 
Serious Adverse Event ............................................................................................................. 18 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
9.2. 
Responsibilities for Reporting Serious Adverse Events ...................................................... 18 
10. 
RISK/BENEFIT ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................... 19 
10.1. 
Potential Risks........................................................................................................................... 19 
10.2. 
Protection Against Risks .......................................................................................................... 19 
10.3. 
Potential Benefits to Subjects ................................................................................................. 19 
10.4. 
Alternatives to Participation .................................................................................................... 20 
11. 
CONFIDENTIALITY OF DATA AND INFORMATION STORAGE .................................. 20 
11.1. 
Investigator record Retention .................................................................................................. 20 
12. 
RESEARCH INFORMATION IN MEDICAL RECORDS ................................................. 20 
13. 
DATA ANALYSIS AND MONITORING .......................................................................... 20 
13.1. 
Sample Size Determination ...................................................................................................... 20 
13.2. 
Planned Statistical Analysis .................................................................................................... 21 
13.2.a Primary Analysis ................................................................................................................... 21 
13.2.b Secondary and Exploratory Analyses ............................................................................... 21 
13.3. 
Data and Safety Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 22 
14. 
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 24 
 
 
 
 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
PROTOCOL SUMMARY  
 
Title: Serologic Response to a New Recombinant, Adjuvanted Herpes Zoster Vaccine in 
Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia Treated with 
First-Line BTK Inhibitors – A Pilot Study 
 
 
Objectives: 
The primary objective is to measure humoral response 4 weeks after vaccination with the 
Shingrix herpes zoster vaccine in patients with CLL and WM undergoing first-line treatment with 
BTK inhibitors.  
The secondary objectives of the study are: 
 
To measure the humoral immune response at 24 months after the completion of 
vaccination with the Shingrix vaccine in patients ≥ 50 years with CLL and WM 
receiving first-line treatment with BTK inhibitors. 
 
To measure PBMC activation by ELISPOT and/or flow cytometry at 4 weeks and 24 
months following vaccination with Shingrix, as a marker of cellular mediated 
immunity.  
 
To determine the rate of lymphoma progression while receiving BTK inhibitors. 
 
To correlate lymphoma progression while receiving BTK inhibitors and vaccine 
response at 4 weeks and 24 months following the vaccination.  
 
Study Population: 
Male and Female, ≥ 50 years of age, with diagnosis of chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) 
or Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM).  See full inclusion/exclusion criteria in 
section 3. 2.  
 
Number of Subjects: 
 
33 
 
Description of Study Intervention: 
Administration of Shingrix vaccine at baseline and 2 months and performance of blood 
draws at baseline, at 4 weeks and 24 months after the completion of vaccination to 
assess serological response.  
 
Study Duration: 
 
Approximately 26 months 
 
 
 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
STUDY DIAGRAM 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Screening/Visit 1 
Visit 2 
Visit 3 
Visit 4 
Visit 5 
Screening and 
consent form 
signing 
+/- baseline blood 
draws and 
vaccine 
administration 
Phone call for 
severe adverse 
events 
assessment 
 
Administration 
of second dose 
 
Repeat lab 
testing 
 
Assessment of 
severe adverse 
events and 
CLL/WM 
progression 
Repeat lab 
testing  
 
Assessment of 
CLL/WM 
progression; 
zoster 
reactivation 
Study Entry 
4 weeks ± 1 
week of dose 1 
8-12 weeks of 
dose 1 
4 weeks ± 1 
week of dose 2 
24 months ±3 
months of dose 2 
CLL or WM patients on BTK inhibitors for ≥3 months willing 
to get Shingrix vaccine 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
1. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY AND BACKGROUND 
 
1.1. Purpose of the study 
 
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) are known 
risk factors for zoster reactivation, commonly called shingles. Although a recently FDA-
approved recombinant, adjuvanted herpes zoster vaccine (Shingrix) is currently being offered 
to these populations, no study has specifically evaluated them in combination with BTK 
inhibitors.  
 
The purpose of the study is to complete a single-arm trial evaluating if patients with CLL or 
WM, while on treatment with first-line BTK inhibitors, can achieve immunologic response to 
Shingrix. If effective, this will result in a new, well-tolerated shingles prevention strategy for 
these patients. 
 
 
Primary objective: 
 
To measure the humoral immune response 4 weeks after the completion of 
vaccination with the Shingrix vaccine in patients ≥ 50 years with CLL and WM 
receiving first-line treatment with BTK inhibitors. 
 
Secondary objectives include: 
 
To measure the humoral immune response at 24 months after the completion of 
vaccination with the Shingrix vaccine in patients ≥ 50 years with CLL and WM 
receiving first-line treatment with BTK inhibitors. 
 
To measure PBMC activation by ELISPOT and/or flow cytometry at 4 weeks and 24 
months following vaccination with Shingrix, as a marker of cellular mediated 
immunity.  
 
To determine the rate of lymphoma progression while receiving BTK inhibitors. 
 
To correlate lymphoma progression while receiving BTK inhibitors and vaccine 
response at 4 weeks and 24 months following the vaccination.  
 
1.2. Background 
 
Varicella zoster is a ubiquitous virus in the United States that initially manifests as chicken 
pox in children. Once a person has been infected, the virus remains latent and can reactivate 
on various occasions, especially when immunity decreases. This herpes zoster reactivation, 
commonly called “shingles”, is a painful condition which can lead to permanent nerve damage, 
pain, costly treatment and, on very rare occasions, death.  
 
Herpes zoster reactivation is common in the general population, with rates averaging 3.2 
cases/ 1000 person years. The incidence increases as people age, reaching 10.9 cases/ 
person years over the age of 80.1 Since 2006, a live-attenuated vaccine has been indicated 
for people over 50 years of age to prevent zoster reactivation. Because of pre-existing 
immunosuppression, this vaccine is contraindicated in patients with hematologic 
malignancies, namely CLL and WM.  
 
Yet, we know that these patients suffer from increased risk of developing zoster reactivation. 
A recent British study found that patients with hematologic malignancies had a 2.46-fold 
increased risk of developing shingles and among them, lymphoma was the most represented 


Page 8 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
subgroup.2 An American database study showed similar results.1 
In October 2017, the FDA approved the use of a new recombinant, adjuvanted vaccine to 
prevent shingles in patients over 50 years old. This vaccine has shown greater efficacy at 
creating immune response than the former live-attenuated vaccine in healthy patients, and 
has now become a better prevention option in patients over 50 years old.3 In that population, 
the capacity to mount immune response was observed in almost 100% of patients one month 
after the last of the two doses.3  
 
Patients with hematologic malignancies represent a distinct class of patients because of their 
baseline immune alterations, in part due to dysfunctions in the B-cell receptor (BCR) 
pathway.4 Among indolent lymphomas, CLL has most frequently been associated with 
acquired immunodeficiency and infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in 
these patients.5 Mechanisms for that state of immunodeficiency are diverse and not 
completely understood, but include, in addition to alterations in the BCR pathway, marked 
dysfunction 
of 
the 
immune 
system 
via 
alterations 
in 
T-cell 
repertoire 
and 
hypogammaglobulinemia.6,7 As a result, immunogenicity to various vaccines is also 
reduced.8,9,10,11  
 
Despite these characteristics, patients with hematologic malignancies receiving treatment with 
anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies have been shown to achieve immune response to 
inactivated zoster vaccination12 and a recent large phase 3 trial showed reduction in herpes 
zoster reactivation and persistent neurologic pain with the same vaccine.13 However, among 
that population, patients with indolent lymphoma were those with the lowest response rate.12 
Patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing autologous stem cell transplants have 
also been shown to achieve serologic response to Shingrix in a recent study.14 
 
Over the last few years, novel therapies have emerged for the treatment of CLL15 and WM16–
18, including Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors of which ibrutinib and acalabrutinib are 
examples. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) is thought to play an important role in the biology of 
these diseases.19  Its constitutional activation leads to activation of several downstream 
pathways, including MAP kinase, AKT and NFkB, resulting in cell proliferation, differentiation 
and survival.4 
 
BTK also plays a significant role in normal immune defense. Congenital lack of BTK activity 
results in X-linked agammaglobulinemia, a condition characterized by altered humoral 
immunity and impairment in T cell memory response. Affected patients present with severe 
infections caused by increased susceptibility to encapsulated bacteria and certain blood borne 
viruses.19 
 
Some data indicate that CLL patients treated with BTK inhibitors manage to reconstitute partial 
immune response with increased levels of immunoglobulins, suggesting that the treatment 
helps control the immune alterations due to the disease rather than amplify them20. Despite 
this, immunogenicity to certain vaccines is difficult to achieve.21,22 
 
To our knowledge, there are no prospective studies that have evaluated if patients while on 
treatment with single agent BTK inhibitors could achieve immune response to a zoster 
recombinant vaccine. We hypothesize that patients with CLL and WM while on treatment with 
BTK inhibitors can achieve a humoral response, albeit to a lesser level than the general 
population.  
 
 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
2. STUDY DESIGN 
 
2.1. Overview 
 
We are conducting a single-center, single-arm pilot clinical study. All subjects will be 
provided with the study vaccine. 
 
Anticipated enrollment period: We anticipate meeting enrollment goals within 6 months. 
 
Follow-up period: Patients will be treated and followed on study for 24 months post-
completion of vaccination for assessment of lymphoma status and possible evaluation 
of persistent serologic response.  
 
2.2. Rationale for Study Design 
 
Evidence exists that patients over 50 years old in the general population and 
immunocompromised patients with hematologic conditions can achieve serologic response to 
Shingrix.3 However, response seems to be less in patients with CLL or indolent lymphoma13 and 
patients treated with BTK inhibitors have yet to be studied. Our study specifically targets that 
population through a simple trial that will address whether these patients can truly benefit from 
the vaccine. 
 
The vaccine is indicated in our planned patient population, but we do not understand its efficacy 
and we do not know optimal timing for vaccination while on BTK inhibition. There is evidence of 
vaccine response in a subset of immunocompromised patients with minimal toxicity.13,14 A placebo 
group was not included because it was perceived as possibly unethical to take away their 
possibility to receive the vaccine.  
 
The decision was also made not to include a healthy control group since the primary objective of 
the study is to assess the response rate in our population, not to compare it with the general 
population. Moreover, a study with over 3000 healthy patients shows robust response data in 
almost 100% of subjects, which we can use to indirectly compare our response rates.3 Prior 
studies in vulnerable populations have used the same design with valid results. Toxicity rates did 
not result any higher than in the general population in these studies. It is not expected to be higher 
in our population.  
 
Assessment of serological response at four weeks was planned in our study in accordance with 
previous vaccination literature. This time point is known to represent the end of primary immunity 
response, which is a marker of immunologic response. Assessing a clinical endpoint (reactivation 
of herpes zoster) would have necessitated a larger cohort of patients followed for several years, 
which is not the objective of a pilot study. This could ultimately be done in further studies if 
response is noted in this trial.  
 
Reassessment of serological response was originally planned at one year to evaluate the rate of 
persistent response. This time point was previously chosen in the general population, and 
subjects were found to have persistent immunity.3 It was also assessed in a recent phase III trial 
evaluating response to another inactivated herpes zoster vaccine in immunocompromised 
patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplant. They were also found to have persistent 
response.13 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and closure of research laboratories the one year 
sample could not be collected. The sample will instead be collected at 24 months ± 3 months. A 
recent study demonstrated persistent response to the Shingrix vaccine in healthy adults up to 10 


Page 10 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
years after the initial dose34, suggesting that the 24-month collection is a reasonable time point 
for reassessment.  
 
This study is designed to obtain valid and comparable results to measure response to a vaccine 
in a vulnerable population in a fast and uncomplicated way.  
 
2.3. Rationale for Dosage 
 
The FDA approved the use of the new recombinant, adjuvanted herpes zoster vaccine (Shingrix) 
in October 2017. The vaccine is supplied as a single-dose vial of lyophilized varicella zoster virus 
glycoprotein E (gE) to be reconstituted with the accompanying vial of AS01B adjuvant suspension 
component. After reconstitution, a single dose of Shingrix is 0.5 mL and should be administered 
intramuscularly. 
 
Two doses at 0 and 2 to 6 months are indicated.  
 
 
3. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESEARCH POPULATION 
 
3.1. Subject Characteristics 
 
a) Number of Subjects:  
 
Target accrual is 30 evaluable CLL or WM subjects receiving treatment with BTK inhibitors. 
Assuming a 10% drop out rate, we aim to enroll a total of 33 subjects. Participants will be replaced 
in case of drop out or failure to receive the second dose of the vaccine. Failure to have blood 
drawn for baseline and/or 4 weeks after vaccination will also warrant replacement.  
 
Subjects will not be replaced if they fail to present to the blood draw 24 months post-vaccination.  
 
In the case of a change of therapy between the first and second dose of the vaccine (including 
the addition of rituximab), patients will remain on study and will not be replaced. Their data will be 
included in the estimates of vaccine response in the intent-to-treat analysis but excluded from 
sub-group analyses. 
 
Based on data from the University of Rochester Cancer Center pharmacy, as of May 2018, 150 
CLL and WM patients are on BTK inhibitor therapy and there are approximately 20 new cases 
per month. A local CLL database confirms those numbers and shows that a total of about 50 
patients are on single-agent, first-line ibrutinib as of January 2018. No patient was identified while 
collecting this data, with respect to patients’ confidentiality.  
 
Patients who have started BTK inhibitors come to clinic about every 3 months for routine visits. 
Based on those numbers, we expect the recruitment of 33 patients to be feasible within 6 months.  
 
b) Gender and Age of Subjects:   
 
Subjects must be at least 50 years old to participate. Patients under 50 years old are excluded as 
per the label of the vaccine. It is anticipated that most subjects will be in their sixth or seventh 
decade given the age distribution of CLL23 and WM.24 There is no upper age limit if the patient 
meets the other inclusion criteria. 
 


Page 11 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
We expect that only a minority of subjects will be diagnosed with WM as compared to CLL 
because it is a much rarer disease, with only 1400 new cases diagnosed each year in the United 
States.25,26  
 
All genders are accepted. It is expected that there will be slightly more males than females 
included in the study as the male-to-female ratio in CLL is normally 1.3-1.7.27 and about 60% of 
WM patients are males.24  
 
c) Racial and Ethnic Origin:   
 
We are not excluding any persons on the basis of racial background. The incidence of CLL in the 
United States is highest in Caucasians as compared with African Americans and Asian Pacific 
Islanders.28 WM is also more common in Caucasians than in any other ethnic groups, particularly 
in Hispanics and in African Americans where it makes up only about 5% of the population.25 This 
should be reflected in our study. 
 
d) Vulnerable Subjects:   
 
Vulnerable subjects should not be enrolled. 
 
3.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria 
 
a) Inclusion Criteria:   
Patients will be eligible if: 
 
They are at least 50 years of age; 
 
Have been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) OR Waldenström 
macroglobulinemia (WM); 
 
Have been on first-line BTK inhibitor (i.e. ibrutinib or acalabrutinib) for at least 3 
months;  
 
Prior treatment with single agent rituximab is permitted if the last dose was 
administered more than one year ago; 
 
Have at least a one-year life expectancy; 
 
Have a history of varicella (chicken-pox) OR lived in the US or any endemic 
country for > 30 years’  
 
Prior radiation therapy is allowed 
 
b) Exclusion Criteria:  
 
Patients will be excluded from the study if they: 
 
 
Have a known hypersensitivity to a vaccine component; 
 
Have had herpes zoster reactivation within the past year;  
 
Received or were scheduled to receive a live virus vaccine in the period from 4 
weeks prior to Dose 1 through 28 days post-second dose; 
 
Received or were scheduled to receive an inactivated vaccine in the period 
ranging from 7 days prior to Dose 1 through 7 days post- second dose; 
 
Are unable to give informed consent; 
 
Have an absolute lymphocyte count greater than 20,000 X 109/L; 
 
Are receiving treatment for CLL or WM with an additional agent other than a BTK 
inhibitor; 


Page 12 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
 
Had rituximab treatment less than one year prior to study start; 
 
Had prior chemotherapy. 
 
3.3. Discussion of Subject Population 
 
Inclusion and exclusion were selected to include a homogeneous CLL and WM population treated 
with BTK inhibitors. Special consideration was taken to avoid disease heterogeneity in order to 
obtain valid results and this is why only patients who have been on a first-line BTK inhibitor for at 
least 3 months will be included.  
 
The age limit was set at 50 years old as per the vaccine label.  
 
Exclusion criteria were the result of contra-indications to the vaccine or to the inability to correctly 
undergo all steps in the research process. In our population, a considerable number of patients 
also received concomitant rituximab for a period of 6 months (weekly for 1 month and monthly 
until month 6) at treatment initiation in the context of a clinical trial. We decided not to exclude 
these patients, but to restrict their enrollment to those who have not had rituximab in the last 12 
months. The 12-month time limit was set to minimize the prolonged side effects of rituximab on 
immunity, but to maximize the inclusion of patients. Data published by Anolik et al in 2006 showed 
that, although incomplete, B cell recovery occurred by 12 months.29 Even though retrospective 
data shows that 38.9% of patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma develop new-onset 
hypogammaglobulinemia at a median of 1.4 years post-treatment with a median of 7 doses of 
rituximab30 and multiple case reports of prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia, happened in the 
context of rheumatologic diseases or concomitant chemotherapy,31–33 this data does not represent 
our population and thus cannot be applied to them. Currently, no such data exists for this 
population.  
 
Exclusion of subjects with absolute lymphocyte counts greater than 20,000 cells/µL was decided 
empirically to avoid interference with the assays. An excessive number of lymphocytes could 
potentially interfere with the laboratory analyses.  
 
 
4. SUBJECT IDENTIFICATION, RECRUITMENT AND CONSENT 
 
4.1. Method of Subject Identification and Recruitment 
 
CLL and WM subjects on BTK inhibitors will be primarily identified through the Strong Memorial 
Hospital pharmacy. Lymphoma physicians in the cancer center, all actively involved in research, 
will be made aware of the study. Subjects may be contacted by their regular team of providers or 
their regular visits will be used to expose the study by their lymphoma specialist. If patients 
express interest, a member of the research team will screen the patient, present the study in 
greater detail and have the patient consent. 
 
Subsequent to consent, a chart review will be performed and captured data will be stored in a 
secure REDCap database. Privacy is maintained by institutional procedures, which require formal 
review by appropriate committees prior to any written or telephone correspondence with patients 
or families.  
 
 
 
 
 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
4.2. Process of Consent 
 
Written consent will be obtained from each subject. Informed consent will be conducted by 
members of the clinical research team using an IRB-approved informed consent document. The 
study procedures, their timing, the time and effort asked from the participant, the immediate 
benefits and the risks associated with the study will be reviewed thoroughly in plain and simple 
language. The investigator will ensure that written informed consent is obtained from each subject 
by obtaining the signature and date on the informed consent document prior to the performance 
of protocol evaluations or procedures. If the informed consent is updated during the study, re-
consent will be required from the participants.  
 
If need be, additional time will be allowed to potential subjects to review the document to ensure 
adequate consent. It will be possible for them to leave with the consent form and review it 
whenever they feel is most appropriate.  
 
Consent documents will be stored in a secure location at the cancer center as per regular 
procedures. 
 
A translator and/or translated version of the protocol will be provided as needed. 
 
All subjects will be notified of the delayed one-year blood draw and their permission requested to 
collect the blood sample and chart review at 24 months.   
 
 
5. METHODS AND STUDY PROCEDURES 
 
Screening procedures will take place after subjects have consented to study participation.  
 
Subjects will be asked to return to the clinic at a later date to have the baseline blood tests 
performed and the vaccine administered. We will determine a selection of dates where a certain 
number of patients will be able to have both procedures performed on the same day. 
 
Blood may also be drawn for baseline testing at the Cancer Center and subjects subsequently 
administered the vaccine at the outpatient pharmacy on screening day. 
 
After consent, a brief chart and CLL database review will be performed to collect certain variables 
such as those listed below: 
 
 
Age 
 
Stage at diagnosis 
 
Date of diagnosis 
 
17p deletion (yes/no) 
 
TP53 mutation (yes/no) 
 
Mutated status of IVHG (yes/no) 
 
11q del (yes/no) 
 
Presence of trisomy 12 (yes/no) 
 
Del 13q (yes/no) 
 
Watch and wait period duration 
 
Date of BTK inhibitor therapy initiation 
 
History of zoster reactivation 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
 
History of zoster vaccination 
 
Immunoglobulin levels before study start 
 
Use of rituximab in the past (yes/no) 
o Number of cycles 
o Date of last cycle 
 
Prior to the first dose of the vaccine, blood will be collected to assess immunity via measurement 
of anti-gE and cellular-mediated immunity. Samples will be processed in the cancer center 
research laboratory. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) will be processed and 
cryopreserved for future cellular assays and serum will be banked for analysis of anti-gE. 
 
At visit 2, four weeks post-first dose, subjects will be contacted by phone call to report any adverse 
events. 
A 
chart 
review 
for 
severe 
adverse 
events 
will 
also 
be 
performed. 
 
As per the label of the vaccine, the second dose of the vaccine will be administered two months 
after the first one, at visit 3. One month subsequent to that second dose, at visit 4, a second blood 
draw will be performed to evaluate the subject’s immunogenic response. The initial analyses will 
be repeated, and response will be measured using statistical methods described below. Safety 
will be assessed again in the same way as after the first dose. A chart review will be performed 
to assess CLL/WM progression on BTK inhibitor therapy as determined by subjects’ regular team 
of providers during their latest visit.  
 
These analyses will be repeated 24 months after the last dose of the vaccine to assess long term 
immunogenicity, at visit 5. A last chart review also be performed to assess incidence of zoster 
reactivation and disease progression as determined by their team of providers during the latest 
visit. 
 
Table 1. Schedule of Study Procedures 
 
Visit 
Screen* 
1* 
2 
3 
4 
5 
 
 
Dose 1 
Safety 
assessment 
Dose 2 
Blood draw 
Optional 
Blood draw  
Visit window 
 
0 
Week 4 ±    
1 week 
Weeks 8-12 
4 Weeks ± 
1 week after 
Dose 2 
24 months 
± 3 months 
of Dose 2 
Obtain 
informed 
consent 
X 
 
 
 
 
 
Confirm 
eligibility 
X 
 
 
 
 
 
Enroll 
X 
 
 
 
 
 
Vaccine 
administration 
X* 
X* 
 
X 
 
 
Lab work 
(anti-gE and 
CMI) 
X* 
 
X* 
 
 
X 
 
X 
 
Safety 
assessment 
(patient-
reported AEs 
 
 
X 
 
X 
 


Page 15 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
and chart 
review) 
 
*Note: Administration of the first dose of the vaccine and completion of the lab assays will take 
place once, either at the screening visit OR at the first visit. If this is done at screening, then 
screening and visit one will happen within the same visit.  
Subjects will be contacted through phone call OR in person at the clinic on for safety 
assessment. 
 
5.1. Treatment Dosage and Administration 
 
Vaccines will be acquired, stored and administered by the outpatient pharmacy as per the label 
and with respect to standard-of-care procedures.  
 
Subjects will have a one-vial dose of the vaccine administered by staff from the outpatient 
pharmacy at that location, and surveillance for immediate adverse effects will be done according 
to regular procedures. 
 
Cold compresses may be applied to the vaccinated area as needed. 
 
 
Table 2. Study Drug 
 
 
Agent 
Pre-medications; 
Precautions 
 
Dose 
 
Route 
 
Schedule 
Shingrix 
vaccine 
none. 
0.5 µg  
IM push 
Months 0 
and 2 
 
 
5.2. Efficacy Assessments 
 
Vaccine response, as determined by blood antibody levels to the varicella virus glycoprotein E 
subunit (anti-gE), will be measured by ELISA. This humoral response will be assessed four weeks 
after vaccination is complete.  In patients who were seropositive before the study, a positive 
response will be defined as at least a four-fold increase in geometric mean concentration (GMC) 
of anti-VZV gE antibody as measured per ELISA. Humoral response in seronegative patients at 
baseline will be defined as at least a four-fold increase from the lower detection limit of the anti-
gE antibody assay. 
 
 
Secondary efficacy objectives include: 
 
1. Measure humoral response at 24 months post-vaccination, which is defined as 
persistence of anti-gE antibody above test threshold at 24 months. 
2. Measure cell-mediated response to vaccination at one month and 24 months after 
vaccination. 
3. Evaluation of CLL/WM progression on BTK inhibitor as determined by treating oncologist 
at latest assessment, and correlation between progression on BTK inhibitor and vaccine 
response at 4 weeks and at 24 months post-second dose. 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
Cellular-mediated response will be determined by measuring PBMC activation (by ELISPOT or 
flow cytometry) following stimulation with varicella glycoprotein E peptide. PBMC activation at 4 
weeks and 24 months post dose will be compared to pre-vaccination activation levels.  
  
 
a. 
Safety Assessments 
 
Subjects will be educated to recognize immediate adverse reactions to the vaccine. Patient-
reported signs of allergic or hypersensitivity reactions will be assessed and managed by the study 
team as needed. Only severe adverse effects will be captured in this study. Subjects will be 
contacted 4 weeks ± 1 week after each dose of the vaccine for assessment and their chart will be 
reviewed at the same moment. Severe adverse effects are defined as any grades 3-5 adverse 
effects included in the CTCAE v5.0 classification.  
 
The decision was made not to report all side effects because the safety of this vaccine has already 
been proven in large clinical trials, both in a general population of older adults and in 
immunocompromised patients, including lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy. These 
thousands of patients did not experience significant toxicity from herpes zoster vaccination.3,13 
Moreover, clinically relevant concerns to vaccine administration are grade 3-5 toxicities, which will 
be captured in the study, both via patient-reported toxicity and through chart review.  
 
b. 
Assessment of Subject Compliance 
 
All study procedures (vaccine administration and blood draws) will be performed at Strong 
Memorial Hospital, which will ensure compliance.  
 
c. 
Costs to the Subject 
 
Cost and administration of the vaccine and all required laboratory testing is covered by the study.  
Collection and maintenance of research records, laboratory assays and storage of blood samples 
will also be covered by the study. There will be no direct cost to the subjects to be part of the 
research project. 
 
d. 
Payment for Participation 
 
Subjects will not receive payments for their participation in the study. 
 
e. 
Return of Individual Research Results 
 
Patients will not directly be notified of the results as there will be no direct clinical implications to 
the observed immunological response. However, that information will be made available through 
their hematologist after the study is finished.  
 
 
6. CONCOMITANT AND DISALLOWED MEDICATIONS 
 
Subjects will be required to have been on first-line BTK inhibitors for at least 3 months at study 
start. Prior dose reductions for toxicity will be allowed.  
 
Subjects will not be asked to discontinue any medication to participate in the study. However, 
prior use of other medications designed to treat specifically CLL or WM (i.e. venetoclax) will not 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
be allowed. Change in medication as determined by treating oncologist will be allowed. 
 
Other vaccination will be allowed during the study provided it does not interfere with the study 
assays. Administration of another inactivated vaccine (for example influenza or pneumococcal 
vaccine) will only be authorized outside that critical time period that ranges from 7 days prior to 
the first dose until 7 days post-second dose. We will encourage patients to receive the influenza 
vaccine and come back for the study protocol 7 days later should this interfere with our study.  
 
7. SUBJECT WITHDRAWALS 
 
Subjects will be advised in the written informed consent forms that they have the right to withdraw 
from the study at any time without prejudice. Withdrawal of consent can be submitted to any 
member of the research team, after which point no further data will be collected on these patients.  
 
Subjects may be withdrawn by the investigator if they fail to present for the second dose of the 
vaccine or for the first control blood draws, or if they experience a severe adverse effect attributed 
to the first dose of the vaccine. 
 
If therapy needs to be modified and subjects stop BTK inhibitor therapy between enrollment and 
their second vaccine dose, they will be offered the second dose and remain on study. 
 
 
8. STUDY DRUG/DEVICE/BIOLOGIC ADMINISTRATION/ASSIGNMENT 
 
8.1. Study Drug/Device/Biologic 
    
 
Shingrix will be acquired by the outpatient hospital pharmacy. The vaccine is 
supplied as a single-dose vial of lyophilized varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE) 
to be reconstituted with the accompanying vial of AS01B adjuvant suspension 
component. After reconstitution, a single dose of Shingrix is 0.5 mL, to be 
administered intramuscularly. After reconstitution, each 0.5-mL dose is formulated 
to contain 50mcg of the recombinant gE antigen, 50mcg of MPL, and 50mcg of QS-
21. Each dose also contains 20mg of sucrose (as stabilizer), 4.385mg of sodium 
chloride, 1mg of DOPC, 0.54mg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.25mg of 
cholesterol, 0.160mg of  sodium  dihydrogen  phosphate  dihydrate,  0.15mg  of  
disodium  phosphate  anhydrous,  0.116mg  of  dipotassium  phosphate, and  0.08mg  
of polysorbate  80. This is not an investigational drug and will be given as standard 
of care according to the FDA label. The vaccine will be provided for patients enrolled 
in the study.   
 
 
8.2. Dosage of Study Drug/Biologic 
 
Dosage of study drug: Shingrix vaccine 50 mcg of anti-gE protein and adjuvant product 
given at month 0 and month 2.  
 
Should a vaccine-related SAE happen between doses 1 and 2, dose 2 may be omitted. 
There will be no other dose adjustment.  
 
8.3. Accountability of Investigational Supplies 
 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
Vaccines will be obtained and administered through the outpatient hospital pharmacy 
and kept at that location until reconstitution and administration to the patients. The 
pharmacist will be responsible for receipt, storage, reconstitution and record keeping.  
 
 
 
8.4. Subject Withdrawal of Study Drug 
 
Subjects cannot continue to be followed in the study if they refuse to complete the 
vaccination process. However, the label of the vaccine specifies the second dose of the 
vaccine can be administered between 2 to 6 months subsequent to the first one. In that 
context, if subjects were to get the second dose within that period, they could still be 
included in the trial, provided data collection is still ongoing. 
 
 
9. SAFETY AND REPORTABLE EVENTS 
 
9.1. Serious Adverse Event 
A serious adverse event is defined as any adverse medical experience that results in 
any of the following outcomes: 
 
death; 
 
is life-threatening; 
 
requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization; 
 
results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity; 
 
is a congenital anomaly/birth defect; or 
 
requires medical or surgical intervention to prevent permanent impairment or 
damage. 
 
The following attribution scale will be used: 
 
- Definite: SAE is clearly related to the investigational agent 
- Probable: SAE is likely related to the investigational agent 
- Possible: SAE is possibly related to the investigational agent 
- Unlikely: SAE is doubtfully related to the investigational agent 
- Unrelated: SAE is clearly not related to the investigational agent 
 
Serious adverse events, and deaths that occur during the patient’s study participation will be 
recorded in the REDCap database. SAEs will be monitored from the first dose of study vaccine 
until 4 weeks (28 days) post-last dose of vaccine or withdrawal from participation. All SAEs 
should be monitored until they are resolved or are clearly determined to be due to a patient’s 
stable or chronic condition or intercurrent illness(es).  
 
9.2. Responsibilities for Reporting Serious Adverse Events 
 
All serious adverse events will be reported in the REDCap database within 5 business days 
of learning of the event. SAE reports are expected to include sufficient detail so as to 
determine the severity, toxicity grade, expectedness and treatment. The report should be 
updated to document resolution or any sequelae. The research team will review these reports 
and determine if further action is required. We do not expect frequent SAEs in that study. 
Even in immunocompromised patients, previous studies have shown favorable safety profiles 


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Version Date: September 22, 2020 
with the use of that vaccine and no SAEs have been found to be clearly attributed to the 
vaccine.  
 
 
 
 
10. RISK/BENEFIT ASSESSMENT 
 
10.1. Potential Risks 
 
The following risks have been most frequently reported in association to the recombinant zoster 
vaccine:  
 
pain (78.0%),  
 
redness (38.1%),  
 
swelling (25.9%);  
 
myalgia (44.7%),  
 
fatigue (44.5%),  
 
headache (37.7%),  
 
shivering (26.8%),  
 
fever (20.5%),  
 
and gastrointestinal symptoms (17.3%).  
 
 
Unsolicited adverse events  occurring  within  30 days  of  vaccination  were  reported  in  50.5%  
of subjects receiving Shingrix. Unsolicited adverse events that  occurred  in  ≥1%  of  recipients  
of  Shingrix and at  a  rate  at  least  1.5-fold  higher  than  placebo  included  the following: 
 
 
chills (3.5%  versus  0.2%),   
 
injection site pruritus (2.2%  versus  0.2%),   
 
malaise (1.7%  versus  0.3%),   
 
arthralgia (1.7%  versus  1.2%),   
 
nausea (1.4%  versus  0.5%),   
 
dizziness (1.2%  versus  0.8%). 
 
In addition to risks secondary to the vaccine itself, confidentiality breach is a risk associated with 
the chart review we will need to perform. 
 
Risks associated with venipuncture include vasovagal episodes, ecchymoses at the site of blood 
removal, and extremely rare instances of infection. 
 
10.2. Protection Against Risks 
 
To minimize risks of discomfort associated to venipuncture and vaccine administration, cold 
compresses may be applied to the punctured/vaccinated areas as needed.  
 
Should subjects experience an immediate severe adverse effect, they will receive appropriate 
routine care through personnel at the Cancer Center, which will be covered by patients’ insurance.  
 
 
10.3. Potential Benefits to Subjects 


Page 20 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
 
Subjects enrolled in this trial will receive the new recombinant, adjuvanted varicella zoster vaccine 
for free. Should our hypothesis prove true, these subjects will benefit from improved protection 
against shingles. There will be no financial compensation of subjects for participation in this 
research. 
 
 
10.4. Alternatives to Participation 
 
Participation in this study is voluntary. If a subject chooses not to participate, the vaccine could 
be administered outside of this clinical trial.  
 
11. CONFIDENTIALITY OF DATA AND INFORMATION STORAGE  
 
Study specific forms within REDCap will be used for web-based data management.  Information 
abstracted from patient care records is obtained for research purposes only. Procedures are in 
place for maintaining confidentiality of all information collected as part of this study.  Access to 
medical records and the REDCap study database is limited to the investigative staff.  Data are 
managed by study number and will be analyzed anonymously.  All reports are of a summary 
nature and no individual patients are identified.  Non-computerized medical records are kept in a 
locked filing cabinet.  Access to personal identifiers is based on a “need to know” basis, and this 
access is reviewed and documented by the PI. 
 
11.1. Investigator record Retention 
The investigator shall retain study drug disposition records and all source documentation 
(such as laboratory reports, inpatient or office patient records) for the maximum period 
required by the country and Institution in which the study will be conducted. If the investigator 
withdraws from the study (due to relocation, retirement, etc.), the records shall be transferred. 
 
 
12. RESEARCH INFORMATION IN MEDICAL RECORDS 
 
The patient’s chart will mention that the vaccine was administered and may reference participation 
in the research study. The results from this study will not be reported in the patient’s chart.   
 
 
13. DATA ANALYSIS AND MONITORING 
 
13.1. Sample Size Determination 
 
The primary endpoint for assessing the immunological response to the vaccine has been defined 
in section 5.2.  The target accrual will be 30 evaluable subjects receiving treatment with BTK 
inhibitor.  Allowing for 10% drop-out due to subject participation or lab testing issues, this trial will 
accrue a total of 33 CLL or WM patients.  Based on current estimates, the expected time to accrue 
these subjects is 6 months.   
 
We expect that the response to vaccine will be significantly less than the 97% response rate seen 
in the healthy general population.  The table below shows the exact Clopper-Pearson two-sided 
90% confidence intervals for a range of likely observed response rates for a range of sample 
sizes.  The upper bound of the 90% (two-sided) confidence interval corresponds to a (one-sided) 
95% confidence interval.  Therefore, with 30 evaluable subjects and observed response rate 


Page 21 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
<85%, we will have 95% confidence that the true immunological response rate is less than the 
general population response rate. 
 
 
 
 
Table 3:  Two-sided 90% Confidence Intervals for a range of potential response rates by 
sample size 
 
Immunologic 
Response Rate 
(%) 
Sample Size 
20 
25 
30 
25 
10 – 46% 
12 – 43% 
13 – 41% 
35 
18 – 56% 
19 – 53% 
21 – 52% 
45 
26 – 65% 
28 – 63% 
29 – 61% 
55 
35 – 74% 
37 – 72% 
39 – 71% 
65 
44 – 82% 
47 – 81% 
48 – 79% 
75 
54 – 90% 
57 – 88% 
59 – 87% 
85 
66 – 96% 
68 – 95% 
70 – 94% 
 
 
13.2. Planned Statistical Analysis 
 
13.2.a Primary Analysis 
 
The estimates of geometric mean antibody titers pre- and post-vaccination, mean fold-changes, 
and vaccine response rates will be described with 90% (two-sided) confidence intervals.  These 
estimates will be important for designing a future vaccine trial in patients treated with BTK 
inhibitors with emergence of shingles as the primary outcome. Self-reported and chart-reviewed 
serious adverse events will be summarized in tabular format by type and grade.   
 
13.2.b Secondary and Exploratory Analyses 
 
As secondary analyses, the change in antibody titers pre and post-vaccination will be evaluated 
with the Wilcoxon Rank Signed Test for paired data.  This test will provide some indication whether 
the within subject change in titer is statistically different from zero.  The change in seroprotection 
rates pre and post vaccination will be assessed by the exact McNemar test for paired proportions.   
 
As exploratory analyses, the association between baseline characteristics and the achievement 
of immunological response and change in antibody titers will be assessed using exact non-
parametric statistical tests, such as exact Chi-Square test, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, or Spearman 
rank correlation tests, depending on the scale of the variables involved.  Baseline characteristics 
of particular interest have been described above and include age, stage at diagnosis, time since 
diagnosis, presence of high-risk or low-risk features, time since BTK inhibitor therapy initiation, 
history of zoster reactivation, IgG levels at study entry and use of rituximab therapy. These results 
will be reported along with descriptive statistics for the purpose of hypothesis generation in future 
trials.  
 


Page 22 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
The disease progression to BTK inhibitor at visit 4 and visit 5 will be determined from the closest 
assessment by treating oncologist.  The association between vaccine response and disease 
progression at each time point will be assessed with Fisher’s exact test. 
 
Immunologic markers of immune response (anti-gE and cellular-mediated immunity markers) will 
be measured at three time points: baseline (before first vaccine dose), midpoint (4 weeks post-
second vaccine dose), and endpoint (24 months post-second vaccine dose).  A linear mixed 
model will be used to describe the change in immunologic markers over time, controlling for 
important baseline characteristics and including the subject as a random effect.  Some markers 
may require transformation to approximate a normal distribution.  This model will provide 
estimates for the shape of the effect of vaccination on these markers over the 24- month study 
interval, as well as inter versus intra-subject variation which will be important in the design of 
future trials.   
 
 
13.3. Data and Safety Monitoring 
For the current study, we will use the Wilmot Cancer Institute Data and Safety Monitoring 
Committee at the University of Rochester.  The DSMC procedure guidelines are designed to 
adhere to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) based on Code of Federal Regulations, FDA policy, 
International Conference on Harmonization guidelines, and institutional RSRB policies.  
Compliance with GCP ensures that safety of human subjects is not compromised, the study is 
carefully conducted, protocol is strictly adhered to, and adverse events are properly reviewed and 
reported.  According to GCP guidelines, responsibility for the protection of human subjects and 
proper conduct of clinical trials is shared among the principal investigator, clinical trial sponsor, 
institutional RSRB, and the DSMC.     
 
Overall Framework for Safety Monitoring 
 
Regular assessment of data quality (audit reports and accrual progress reports) and toxicities will 
enable the DSMC to assess whether significant risks are occurring that would warrant study 
closure. Cumulative reports of SAE’s previously reported for expedited review and any new 
serious adverse event are also reviewed.   
Study Investigators will conduct continuous review of data and patient safety.  The Investigator 
will submit progress reports of these data to the Clinical Trials Monitoring Committee for review 
to its predetermined frequency. The review will include for each treatment arm/dose level:  the 
number of patients enrolled, withdrawals, significant toxicities as described in the protocol, serious 
adverse events both expected and unexpected, dose adjustments, and responses observed.  The 
PI maintains a database of all serious adverse events with toxicity grade and information 
regarding treatment required, complications, or sequelae.  The Investigator will submit a copy of 
the SAE spreadsheet along with the Progress Report to the Clinical Trials Monitoring Committee 
for review. Actual review dates will be assigned when the 1st patient is accrued. 
Any serious adverse event that is serious, related AND unexpected must be reported within 10 
calendar days to both the Safety Coordinator and the RSRB (see RSRB guidelines).  The DSMC 
Chair will determine whether further action is required, and when patient safety is of concern, an 
interim meeting may be called. 


Page 23 of 26 
Version Date: September 22, 2020 
Serious adverse events that are related AND expected or unrelated AND unexpected will be 
reported to the Committee for review.  SAE reports are expected to include sufficient detail so 
that the DSMC can determine the severity, toxicity grade, expectedness, treatment required, and 
a follow up report documenting resolution or if there are sequelae.  Unless otherwise specified in 
the protocol, serious adverse events that require detailed reports (but not necessarily expedited) 
are expected, related, non-hematologic toxicities of grades 3, 4 or 5. 
 


Page 24 of 26 
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5:jiaa300. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa300.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ICF_000.pdf: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INFORMED CONSENT FORM 
 
 
Title:  
 
Serologic Response to a New Recombinant, Adjuvanted Herpes 
 
 
 
Zoster Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 
 
 
 
and Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia Treated with First-Line 
  
 
 
BTK inhibitors – A Pilot Study 
 
Sponsor: 
 
University of Rochester Medical Center 
 
Investigator:  
Jonathan Friedberg, MD 
 
NCT:  
 
03771157 
 
Version Date: 
04JAN2019  
 
 


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RESEARCH SUBJECT INFORMATION AND CONSENT FORM
TITLE:  
Serologic Response to a New Recombinant, Adjuvanted Herpes 
Zoster Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 
and Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia Treated with First-Line 
BTK inhibitors – A Pilot Study
RSRB No.:
STUDY00003228
SPONSOR:
University of Rochester Medical Center
INVESTIGATOR:  
Jonathan Friedberg, MD
SITES: 
Wilmot Cancer Institute
University of Rochester
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, New York 14642
STUDY RELATED  
PHONE NUMBERS:  
Jonathan Friedberg, MD
585-275-5863 (24 hours)
This consent form describes a research study what you may expect if you decide to take part and 
important information to help you make your decision.  Please read this form carefully. The 
study staff will explain the study to you. Please ask questions about anything that is not clear 
before you agree to participate.  You may take this consent form home to think about and discuss 
with family or friends.
Key Information
Being in this research study is voluntary – it is your choice.  
You are being asked to take part in this study because you have been diagnosed with chronic 
lymphocytic leukemia or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, are being treated with a Bruton’s 
Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor and are eligible to receive the Shingrix shingles vaccine. 
The purpose of this study is to measure your body’s ability to generate an immune response 
to the Shingrix vaccine. 
Your participation in this study will last for about 14 months. 
Procedures will include a pre-vaccination blood draw, vaccination with the 2-dose series of 
FDA-approved Shingrix vaccine and blood draws at one month and one year following 
vaccination. 
There are risks from participating. 
RSRB Approval Date: 1/3/2019
Expiration Date: 1/2/2020


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o Risks associated with blood draws include: lightheadedness, bruising at the site of 
needle stick, and infection.
o The most common side effects of Shingrix are:
Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
Muscle pain
Tiredness
Headache
Shivering
Fever
Upset stomach
o See the “Risks of Participation” section in this consent form for more information.  
You should discuss these risks in detail with the study team.
You might not benefit from being in this research study. The potential benefit to you is that 
you will receive the FDA-approved shingles vaccine. 
If you do not want to take part in this study, you may be able to receive the vaccine as part of 
your standard care.
Purpose of Study
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) are known 
risk factors for zoster reactivation, commonly called shingles. Although a recently FDA-
approved shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is currently being offered to these patients, no study has 
specifically evaluated the vaccine response in patients while on treatment with single agent BTK 
inhibitors, the current standard therapy for this group. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the 
immune response, through a blood test, to the Shingrix vaccine in these patients. 
Description of Study Procedures
If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to provide blood samples (25 mL; 
approximately 1.7 tablespoons each) before vaccination, 4 weeks after vaccination and 1 year 
after vaccination. On day one, blood will be drawn, and the first of two doses of the Shingrix 
vaccine will be administered as an injection into the muscle in your upper arm. The second dose 
of vaccine will be administered as an injection into your upper arm approximately 2 months after 
the first dose. Four weeks later you will be asked to provide a blood sample. One year after 
receiving the second dose of vaccine, you will be asked to provide a blood sample. Study staff 
may contact you around the time of vaccination to see how you are feeling.  
Information about your study participation and study results may be included in your electronic 
health record.  If you have concerns about this or to obtain more detail, you should discuss this 
with the study team.
Number of Subjects
About 33 subjects will participate, all at the University of Rochester.  
Duration of the Study
RSRB Approval Date: 1/3/2019
Expiration Date: 1/2/2020
Your participation in the study will last approximately 14 months. 


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Risks of Participation 
Risks associated with blood draws include: lightheadedness, bruising at the site of needle stick, 
and infection.
Common side effects of the Shingrix vaccine include: 
Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
Muscle pain
Tiredness
Headache
Shivering
Fever
Upset stomach
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, as required 
by U.S. Law.  This Web site will not include information that can identify you.  At most, the 
Web site will include a summary of the results.  You can search this website at any time. 
The study team may be notified if you receive other health care services at URMC or its 
Affiliates (e.g., visit to the emergency room). In addition, the following individuals may know 
you participated in research and may see results of testing conducted for this study:
Staff at the University of Rochester Medical Center and its Affiliates (e.g., Strong 
Memorial Hospital, Highland Hospital, URMC primary care, specialist physician offices) 
who have a reason to access your electronic health record. 
Health care providers who are involved in your care at a facility that is not part of the 
University of Rochester Medical Center and its Affiliates and who have reason to access 
your electronic health record.
Individuals who request a copy of information from your health record for activities such 
as treatment or payment (e.g., medical insurance companies, worker’s compensation).
Benefits of Participation 
You might not benefit from being in this research study.  The potential benefit to you from being 
in this study is that you will receive the FDA-approved shingles vaccine, which might decrease 
your risk of developing shingles.
Alternatives to Participation 
Taking part in this study is voluntary. If you choose not to participate, you may receive the 
vaccine as part of your standard care.
Compensation for Injury 
RSRB Approval Date: 1/3/2019
Expiration Date: 1/2/2020
If you are directly injured by the drug(s) being studied, or by medical procedures needed because 
of this study, and you receive medical care for the injury, you may need to pay for that care.  
You will be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary medical costs for such care, but you might 
not be reimbursed for care covered and paid for by a third party like your health insurance 
provider, or costs such as required co-payments or deductibles related to that coverage.  No other 
funds have been set aside to pay for such things as lost wages or expenses due to a current 
underlying illness or condition.


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If your research injury is paid for by the University Rochester, we will collect your name, date of 
birth, gender, and Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number or Social Security Number to 
determine your Medicare status. This information will be used only in accordance with the law. 
If you are a Medicare beneficiary, information about the study you are in, and any payments 
made related to your injury, will be reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
(CMS), in accordance with CMS requirements.  This information will not be used for any other 
purpose.
Costs 
The study will provide the Shingrix vaccine free of charge while you are participating in the 
study. Tests and procedures that are required solely for the study, that are not a part of your 
regular medical care, will also be provided at no charge. Research testing on this study includes 3 
blood draws and the measurement of antibody and immune cell responses to vaccination. 
You or your insurance company will be billed for any standard medical care given during this 
research study. You will be responsible for any co-pays, insurance deductibles and/or co-
insurance required by your health insurance carrier for your standard medical care. This standard 
medical care includes any care that you would receive for the treatment of your cancer whether 
you were participating in a study or not, such as:
Routine clinic visits with your doctor or nurse practitioner
Tests (Including but not limited to routine items such as: laboratory blood tests, CT, 
PET/CT, and/or FDG/PET scans, X-rays, lung function, or cardiac testing.)
Procedures (Including but not limited to routine items such as: bone marrow biopsies 
and/or aspirates, other tumor biopsies)
Medications: other standard medications to treat your cancer (including your BTK 
inhibitor). This can include other chemotherapies or non-chemotherapy medications used 
to treat your cancer, and/or medications to treat or prevent side-effects.
You may want to talk with your insurance company about its payment policy for standard 
medical care given during a research study prior to enrolling on a research study. Depending on 
how your insurance company processes payments for standard medical care given during a 
research study, you might have unexpected expenses from being in this study. If your insurance 
company does not pay for your standard medical care, you will be billed for those charges.
Payments 
You will not be paid for participating in this study.
Confidentiality of Records and Authorization to Use and Disclose Information for 
Research Purposes 
RSRB Approval Date: 1/3/2019
Expiration Date: 1/2/2020
The University of Rochester makes every effort to keep the information collected from you private.  
In order to do so, we will ensure that only approved research staff have access to your research data. 
Sometimes, however, researchers need to share information that may identify you with people that 
work for the University, regulators or the study sponsor.  
If you have never received a copy of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and 
Affiliates Notice of Privacy Practices, please ask the investigator for one. 


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What information may be used and given to others?
The study doctor will get your personal and medical information.  For example: 
Research records
Records about phone calls made as part of this research
Records about your study visits
Past and present medical records related to the study, including records of external providers 
that are available via your electronic health record at URMC & Affiliates
Results of medical tests 
Who may use and give out information about you?
The study doctor and the study staff
URMC and Affiliates
Your information may be given to: 
The Department of Health and Human Services
The University of Rochester
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may also need to inspect study records at 
some point during the study or even after it has been completed.  In the event that this 
should occur, every effort will be made to keep identifying information about you private.
Why will this information be used and/or given to others?
To do the research 
To study the results 
To see if the research was done correctly  
If the results of this study are made public, information that identifies you will not be used.
What if I decide not to give permission to use and give out my health information?
Then you will not be able to be in this research study.
May I review or copy my information?
Yes, but only after the research is over.
How long will this permission be valid?
This permission will last indefinitely. 
May I cancel my permission to use and disclose information?
Yes. You may cancel your permission to use and disclose your health information at any time.  
You do this by sending written notice to the study doctor.  Upon receiving the written notice, the 
study team will no longer use or disclose your health information and you will not be able to stay 
in this study.  Information that has already been gathered may need to be used and given to others 
for the validity of the study.  
RSRB Approval Date: 1/3/2019
Expiration Date: 1/2/2020
May I withdraw from the study?


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Yes. If you withdraw your permission to be in the study, no new health information identifying 
you will be gathered after that date.  Information that has already been gathered may still be used 
and given to others.  
Is my health information protected after it has been given to others?
No. There is a risk that your information will be given to others without your permission.
Future Use of Information/Samples
Your information and samples collected as part of this research will not be distributed or used for 
future research studies.
Circumstances for Dismissal 
You may be withdrawn from the study if:
You do not keep appointments for study visits or if you cannot complete study activities. 
You may be withdrawn from the study if your doctor feels that staying in the study is 
harmful to your health. 
New Study Information
If we discover any new information that might make you change your mind about continuing in 
the study, we will let you know.
Return of Research Results 
In general, we will not give you any individual results from your participation in the study. If we 
find something of urgent medical importance to you, we will inform you, although we expect 
that this will be a very rare occurrence.
Contact Persons
For more information concerning this research or if you feel that your participation has resulted 
in any research related injury, emotional or physical discomfort, please contact: Dr. Jonathan 
Friedberg at (585) 275-5863 (24 hours).
Please contact the University of Rochester Research Subjects Review Board at 265 Crittenden 
Blvd., CU 420628, Rochester, NY 14642, Telephone (585) 276-0005 or (877) 449-4441 for the 
following reasons:

You wish to talk to someone other than the research staff about your rights as a 
research subject;

To voice concerns about the research;

To provide input concerning the research process;

In the event the study staff could not be reached.
Voluntary Participation
RSRB Approval Date: 1/3/2019
Expiration Date: 1/2/2020
Taking part in this study is voluntary.  You are free not to take part or to withdraw at any 
time, for whatever reason.  No matter what decision you make, there will be no penalty or 
loss of benefit to which you are entitled.  In the event that you do withdraw from this study, 
the information you have already provided will be kept in a confidential manner.


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SIGNATURES/DATES 
After reading and discussing the information in this consent form you should understand:

Why this study is being done;

What will happen during the study;

Any possible risks and benefits to you;

Other options you may have instead of being in the study; 

How your personal information will be protected;

What to do if you have problems or questions about this study.
Subject Consent
I have read (or have had read to me) the contents of this consent form and have been encouraged 
to ask questions.  I have received answers to my questions.  I agree to participate in this study.  I 
have received (or will receive) a signed copy of this form for my records and future reference.
Subject Name (Printed by Subject)
Signature of Subject
Date
Person Obtaining Consent
I have read this form to the subject and/or the subject has read this form.  I will provide the 
subject with a signed copy of this consent form.  An explanation of the research was given and 
questions from the subject were solicited and answered to the subject’s satisfaction.  In my 
judgment, the subject has demonstrated comprehension of the information.  I have given the 
subject adequate opportunity to read the consent before signing.
Name and Title (Print)
RSRB Approval Date: 1/3/2019
Expiration Date: 1/2/2020
Signature of Person Obtaining Consent
Date