Dose Escalation Trial of CD40.HIVRI.Env Vaccine Combined or Not With a DNA-HIV-PT123 HIV-1 Vaccine in Healthy Volunteers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Multicenter double-blind placebo controlled phase I dose-escalation trial that will be conducted in France and Switzerland to evaluate different dose levels of CD40.HIVRI.Env (adjuvanted with Hiltonol) alone and in co-administration with DNA-HIV-PT123. A total of 72 eligible healthy participants will be recruited into 6 groups. Within each group, participants will be randomized in a double blind manner to active intervention or placebo in a 5:1 ratio. Enrolment into a given group (other than group Solo 0.3) will open sequentially depending on the  go-criterion  based on the safety data of the preceding group(s). The primary objective is to assess the safety of three dose levels of CD40.HIVRI.Env (0.3; 1; 3 mg) adjuvanted with Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol®), alone and in combination with DNA-HIV-PT123, administered at weeks 0, 4 and 24 in healthy participants. Secondary objectives are to assess the capacity of poly-ICLC-adjuvanted CD40.HIVRI.Env alone and in combination with DNA-HIV-PT123 to elicit immune responses against HIV (immunogenicity): Humoral (antibody) responses ; B-cell responses ; T-cell responses.

Detailed Description
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The ANRS VRI06 clinical trial follows the prophylactic vaccine strategies developed since the encouraging results obtained during the RV144 trial. The RV144 study identified binding IgG antibodies directed at conserved regions of the V1/V2 loop and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity as immune correlates of reduced risk of HIV infection in the absence of inhibiting serum IgA antibodies. We have developed DC-targeting vaccines, in order to increase protein antigen efficacy through their selective delivery to dendritic cell (DC), the key cell type for initiating and regulating immune responses, via the endocytic receptors expressed at the DC surfaces. Following the screening of vaccines targeting different several DC-receptors, the CD40-targeting vaccine has been shown to be the best candidate for inducing both cellular and humoral responses. Anti-CD40.Env GP140 vaccine (CD40.HIVRI.Env) adjuvanted with Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol®), in a prime/boost association with poxvirus vector vaccines, has shown to be safe and elicit robust Env specific T and B cell responses in a non-human primate study. In this trial we will also capitalize on data generated in a recent phase I/II trial showing that co-administration of DNA-HIV-PT123 with an Env protein vaccine (as compared to other vaccine regimens which do not co-administer the protein during the priming) results in the rapid generation of high titers of binding anti V1/V2 Env region IgG Abs and Tier 1 nAb responses (HVTN 096 study). We therefore hypothesize that co-administration of CD40.HIVRI.Env adjuvanted with Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol®) with the DNA-HIV-PT123 vaccine will be safe and induce high titers of binding anti V1/V2 Env region IgG Abs and other immunological parameters considered as immune correlates in RV144 trial. When the first 6 participants of given dose group have reached W6 (2 weeks after the second injection), the Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT), composed of sponsor's pharmacovigilance expert, coordinating investigator, co-coordinating investigator and methodologist, will review all accumulated Adverse Event (AE) data so far, in a blinded manner. All AE, in particular grade 3 and grade 4 AEs, as well as Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) will be reviewed. The current version FDA grading scale will be used for grading. Go-criterion for opening enrolment into the next groups: If no grade 3 or 4 clinical solicited local/systemic or unsolicited AE or grade 3 or 4 biological clinical significant, is reported at W6, in any of the first 6 participants of a given group, the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) assessment will not be requested for the go to the next group and the  go-criterion  is met. The trial can be continued by opening to the inclusions following the protocol. Otherwise (occurrence of grade 3 or 4 AE), the DSMB will review all accumulated AE data. Enrolment in next group will only start after the DSMB gives the green light. In addition, the following pausing rule (pausing of all injections) will apply during the trial: Pausing rule for vaccine related safety events : If a serious adverse reaction (relatedness as judged by the pharmacovigilance department or the investigator responsible of the SAE notification) is reported during any stage of the study, all vaccinations will be halted, inclusions in the trial will be suspended, competent authorities must be informed and an ad-hoc DSMB meeting convened for recommendations on the trial continuation. Vaccinations may resume only after authorization is given by competent authority. By the conservative method, if the causality assessment could not be provided by the investigator, the AE will be considered as possibly related.

Official Title
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A Phase I Multicenter Double-blind Placebo Controlled Dose Escalation Trial of an Adjuvanted Anti-CD40 mAb Fused to Env GP140 HIV Clade C ZM-96 (CD40.HIVRI.Env) Vaccine Combined or Not With a DNA-HIV-PT123 HIV-1 Vaccine in Healthy Participants

Conditions
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Healthy Adults

Intervention / Treatment
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* Biological: Solo 0.3 group
* Biological: Solo 1 group
* Biological: Solo 3 group
* Biological: Combi 0.3 group
* Biological: Combi 1 group
* Biological: Combi 3 group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age of 18 to 65 years at the time of the screening visit (week -4) Willingness and availability to be followed for the planned duration of the study in one of the dedicated investigative centers Informed and signed consent Agree to be registered in the French Health Ministry computerised file (for France only) Being covered by the Health Insurance Willingness to understake HIV testing and receive HIV test results Willingness to discuss HIV infection risks, amenable to HIV risk reduction counseling, and committed to maintaining behavior consistent with low risk of HIV exposure through the last required protocol clinic visit Assessed by the clinic staff as being at low risk for HIV infection: no history of injecting drug use in the previous ten years; no STI in the last six months, untreated or incompletely treated syphilis infection in the past; no high risk partner (e.g., injecting drug user, HIV positive partner) either currently or within the past six months; no unprotected anal intercourse in the last six months, outside a relationship with a regular partner known/presumed to be HIV negative; no unprotected vaginal intercourse in the last six months outside a relationship with a regular known/presumed HIV negative partner. Participants who were born female: negative serum or urine beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) pregnancy test performed on the day of initial IMP administration (week 0) and before randomisation Reproductive status: if heterosexually active female, consistently using an effective method of contraception with partner for sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy from at least 21 days prior to enrolment through 4 months after the last administration. Effective contraception is defined as using any of the following methods: Condoms (male or female) with or without a spermicide; Intrauterine device (IUD); Intrauterine hormone releasing system (IUS); Hormonal contraception (progesterone only); Successful vasectomy in the male partner (considered successful if a participant reports that a male partner has (i) documentation of azoospermia by microscopy, or (ii) a vasectomy more than 2 years ago with no resultant pregnancy despite unprotected sexual activity postvasectomy); Or not be of reproductive potential, such as having reached menopause (no menses for 1 year without an alternative medical cause) or having undergone hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or tubal ligation. Agree not to seek pregnancy including through alternative methods, such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization until 4 months after the last administration. Participants who were born male, if heterosexually active male, using an effective method of contraception with their partner from the first day of IMP administration until 4 months after the last administration. This also applies to sperm donation. Normal biological values, Hemoglobin ≥ 11.0 g/dL for participants who were born female, ≥ 13.0 g/dL for participants who were born male; White blood cell count = 3,300 to 12,000 cells/mm3; Total lymphocyte count ≥ 800 cells/mm3; Platelets = 125,000 to 550,000/mm3; Chemistry panel: ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase < 1.25 times the institutional upper limit of normal; creatinine <1.1x institutional upper limit of normal. NB: Biological parameters outside of these values should be reviewed by the clinician who should specify the clinically significance. Results considered non-clinically significant by the clinician are accepted. Negative HIV-1 and -2 blood test; Negative Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); Negative anti-Hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV), or negative HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) if the anti-HCV is positive. Normal urine test : absence of glucose, protein and hemoglobin. NB : In case of positive urinalysis dipstick results, a sample urinalysis must be performed. Results considered non-clinically significant by the clinician are accepted. Exclusion Criteria: Person participing in another research involving the human person or participing in another research involving the human person with an exclusion period still in progress at screening (week -4) Intent to participate in another study of an investigational research agent during the planned duration of the study Participants who are not able to understand and to follow all required study procedures for the whole period of the study in the judgment of the investigator Under tutorship (only for France), guardianship, or deprived of liberty by a juridical or administrative decision Planned absence that could affect participation in the study (travel abroad, relocation, impending professional mutation...) Pregnant or breastfeeding Clinically significant medical condition, physical examination findings, clinically significant abnormal laboratory results, or past medical history with clinically significant implications for current health. A clinically significant condition or process includes but is not limited to: A process that would affect the immune response; A process that would require medication that affects the immune response; Any contraindication to repeated injections or blood draws; A condition that requires active medical intervention or monitoring to avert grave danger to the participant's health or well-being during the study period; A condition or process for which signs or symptoms could be confused with reactions to vaccine; Any condition specifically listed among the exclusion criteria below. Immunodeficiency Asthma exclusion criteria: Asthma other than mild, well-controlled asthma. (Symptoms of asthma severity as defined in the most recent National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Expert Panel report). Exclude a participant who: Uses a short-acting rescue inhaler (typically a beta 2 agonist) daily, or Uses moderate/high dose inhaled corticosteroids, or In the past year has either of the following: (i) Greater than 1 exacerbation of symptoms treated with oral/parenteral corticosteroids or (ii) Needed emergency care, urgent care, hospitalization, or intubation for asthma. Diabetes type 1 or type 2, including cases controlled with diet alone. (Not excluded: history of isolated gestational diabetes). Thyroidectomy, or thyroid disease requiring medication during the last 12 months Hypertension: If a person has been diagnosed with hypertension, exclude for blood pressure that is not well controlled (well-controlled blood pressure is defined as consistently ≤ 140 mm Hg systolic and ≤ 90 mm Hg diastolic, with or without medication, with only isolated, brief instances of higher readings, which must be ≤ 150 mm Hg systolic and ≤ 100 mm Hg diastolic). For these participants, blood pressure must be ≤ 140 mm Hg systolic and ≤ 90 mm Hg diastolic at enrolment; If a person has NOT been diagnosed with hypertension, exclude for systolic blood pressure ≥ 150 mm Hg at enrolment or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mm Hg at enrolment (the measurement must be performed on a person who has been lying down for at least 5 minutes and repeated at the end of the consultation, if appropriated). Tension must be confirmed outside the clinical site to rule hypertension. Contraindication to the IMPs including hypersensitivity BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 ; ≤ 18 kg/m2 ; or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with 2 or more of the following: age > 45, systolic blood pressure > 140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure > 90 mm Hg, current smoker, known hyperlipidemia Bleeding disorder diagnosed by a doctor (e.g., coagulation factor deficiency, coagulopathy, or platelet disorder requiring special precautions) Malignancy (Not excluded: participant who has had malignancy excised surgically and who, in the investigator's estimation, has a reasonable assurance of sustained cure, or who is unlikely to experience recurrence of malignancy during the period of the study) Asplenia: any condition resulting in the absence of a functional spleen Seizure disorder: History of seizure(s) within past three years. Also exclude if participant has used medications in order to prevent or treat seizure(s) at any time within the past 3 years. History of hereditary angioedema, acquired angioedema, or idiopathic angioedema. History of myocarditis, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure with permanent sequelae, clinically significant arrhythmia (including arrhythmia requiring medication, treatment, or clinical follow-up History of autoimmune disease Any medical, psychiatric, occupational, or other condition that, in the judgment of the investigator, would interfere with or serve as a contraindication to protocol adherence, assessment of safety or reactogenicity, or a participant's ability to give informed consent Psychiatric condition that precludes compliance with the protocol. Specifically excluded are persons with psychoses within the past 3 years, ongoing risk for suicide, or history of suicide attempt or gesture within the past 3 years. Serious adverse reactions to vaccines including anaphylaxis and related symptoms such as hives, respiratory difficulty, angioedema, and/or abdominal pain. (Not excluded: a participant who had a non-anaphylactic adverse reaction to pertussis vaccine as a child.) Investigational research agents received within 30 days before first IMP administration HIV vaccine(s) received in a prior HIV vaccine trial. For participants who have received control/placebo in an HIV vaccine trial, the investigator coordonnator will determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Non-HIV experimental vaccine(s) received within the last 5 years in a prior vaccine trial. Live attenuated vaccines (e.g., measles, mumps, and rubella [MMR]; varicella; yellow fever) received within 30 days before first IMP administration or scheduled within 28 days after one of the 3 injections according to the protocol Vaccines that are not live attenuated vaccines and were received within 21 days prior to first IMP administration (e.g., tetanus, pneumococcal, Hepatitis A or B) COVID-19 vaccine received or scheduled within the last 4 weeks before and after one of the 3 injections Blood products received within 120 days before first IMP administration Immunoglobulin received within 60 days before first IMP administration Current anti-tuberculosis (TB) prophylaxis or therapy Allergy treatment with antigen injections within 30 days before first IMP administration or that are scheduled within 14 days after first IMP administration Immunosuppressive medications received within last three months before first IMP administration. (Not excluded: [1] corticosteroid nasal spray; [2] inhaled corticosteroids; [3] topical corticosteroids for mild, uncomplicated dermatitis; or [4] a single course of oral/parenteral corticosteroids at doses < 2 mg/kg/day and length of therapy < 11 days with completion at least 30 days prior to enrolment)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Sequential Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Multicenter double-blind placebo controlled phase I dose-escalation trial to evaluate different dose levels of CD40.HIVRI.Env (adjuvanted with Hiltonol®) alone and in co-administration with DNA-HIV-PT123
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Active intervention<br>Solo groups : CD40.HIVRI.Env vaccine (solution at 5.0 mg/ml) adjuvanted with Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol, solution at 1.8 mg/ml) Combi groups : CD40.HIVRI.Env vaccine (solution at 5.0 mg/ml) adjuvanted with Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol, solution at 1.8 mg/ml) and combined with DNA-HIV-PT123 HIV-1 vaccine (solution at 4.0 mg/ml) | Biological: Solo 0.3 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 0.3 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Solo 1 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 1.0 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Solo 3 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 3.0 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1.2 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1.2 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Combi 0.3 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 0.3 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid; and combined with DNA-HIV-PT123 HIV-1 at 4.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid and 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Combi 1 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 1.0 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid; and combined with DNA at 4.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid and 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Combi 3 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 3.0 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1.2 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid; and combined with DNA at 4.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1.2 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid and 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>Commercial Sodium Chloride at 0.9% (NaCl 0.9%) | Biological: Solo 0.3 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 0.3 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Solo 1 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 1.0 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Solo 3 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 3.0 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1.2 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1.2 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Combi 0.3 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 0.3 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid; and combined with DNA-HIV-PT123 HIV-1 at 4.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid and 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Combi 1 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 1.0 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid; and combined with DNA at 4.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid and 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>Biological: Combi 3 group<br>* CD40.HIVRI.Env and Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol), respectively at 3.0 and 1.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1.2 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid; and combined with DNA at 4.0 mg/injection, i.e. 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24 Or, NaCl at 0.9%, i.e 1.2 ml subcutaneous route in right deltoid and 1 ml intramuscular route in left deltoid at weeks 0, 4 and 24.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Safety Part 1 - Proportion of participants without any grade 3 or 4 adverse event | Proportion of participants without any grade 3 or 4 biological or clinical solicited local/systemic or unsolicited adverse evens, considered to be related or possibly related to IMP administration. | Between weeks 0 and 48 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Safety Part 2 - Number of unsolicited adverse events | Overall ; by grade ; by relationship to the vaccine. | Between weeks 0 and 48 | 
| Safety Part 2 - Number of solicited local and systemic adverse events | Overall ; by grade ; by relationship to the vaccine. | Between weeks 0 and 48 |