Study of PENNVAX™-B (Gag, Pol, Env) + Electroporation in HIV-1 Infected Adult Participants

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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DNA vaccines consist of small pieces of DNA also known as plasmids, and have several potential advantages over traditional vaccines. Thus far, DNA vaccines appear to be well tolerated in humans. We have developed DNA vaccine, PENNVAX-B, which includes plasmids targeting the gag, pol, and env proteins of HIV-1. The vaccine will be delivered via electroporation (EP) which uses the CELLECTRA constant current device to deliver a small electric charge following injection, since animal studies have shown that this delivery method increases the immune response to vaccine. The vaccine will be given to HIV-1 infected subjects whose viral load is undetectable on a HAART regimen, with CD4 lymphocyte count above 400 cells/µL of blood. It is hypothesized that PENNVAX-B + EP will be safe and well tolerated.

Detailed Description
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A single group of approximately 12 HIV-infected subjects will receive a 4 dose series of PENNVAX-B containing 3 mg of DNA/dose at study entry (Day 0), Week 4, 8, 16 and will be followed for a total of 48 weeks.

Official Title
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A Phase I, Open Label Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Immunogenicity of PENNVAX™-B (Gag, Pol, Env) + Electroporation in HIV-1 Infected Adult Participants

Conditions
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HIV-1 Infection, HIV Infections

Intervention / Treatment
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* Biological: PENNVAX-B


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: HIV-1 infection On a stable HAART regimen for ≥3 months before the time of enrollment CD4-+ lymphocyte count ≥400 cells/μL on two occasions within 60 days of enrollment HIV-1 < 75 copies/mL on two occasions within 60 days of enrollment Body mass index (BMI) ≤30 kg/m^2 Laboratory values obtained within 30 days prior to study entry: Hemoglobin > 9 g/dL (female subjects) > 9.5 g/dL (male subjects) Absolute neutrophil count > 1000 cells/μL Platelet count > 75,000/μL ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase < 2.5 x upper limit of normal range Total bilirubin < 2.5 x upper limit of the laboratory normal range Serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dL X upper limit of normal (ULN) Female subjects of reproductive potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test performed within 30 days of initiating the protocol-specified vaccination and a negative urine pregnancy test at Day 0 (enrollment) Ability and willingness of subject or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Any active or past AIDS-defining illness with the exception of minimal (less than 10 lesions) cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma History of a CD4+ T-cell count ≤200/μL Grade 2 or higher CPK laboratory result Use of any known immunomodulatory therapy within 4 weeks prior to study entry Any malignancy requiring systemic or local toxic chemotherapy. Local radiation will be allowed Pregnancy or breast-feeding Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus Major organ transplantation Active alcohol or substance abuse or psychiatric illness, which in the opinion of the investigator will interfere with adherence to study requirements Clinically significant neurological disorder occurring within 1 year prior to study entry Use of systemic corticosteroids for 4 weeks within 3 months prior to study entry Presence of any chronic disease that in the opinion of the investigator might affect subject safety History of previous vaccination with an HIV-1 vaccine except where documentation of placebo is available History of cardiac arrhythmia History or evidence of autoimmune disease Allergies to bupivacaine or similar anesthetic Metal implants at the site of injection Prisoners or subjects who are compulsorily detained (involuntarily incarcerated) for treatment of either a psychiatric or physical (i.e. infections disease) illness Any other conditions judged by the investigator that would limit the evaluation of a subject

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 3mg DNA/dose<br>Subjects will receive a 4 dose series of PENNVAX-B containing 3mg of DNA/dose administered via IM injection + electroporation at Day 0, Week 4, Week 8 and Week 16. | Biological: PENNVAX-B<br>* DNA plasmids delivered via IM injection + electroporation using CELLECTRA device<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Safety and tolerability | Frequency and severity of local and systemic reactogenicity signs and symptoms, laboratory measures of safety, including CD4 and HIV RNA viral load changes, and adverse and serious adverse events. | Day 0 through Week 48 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| T-cell responses | Magnitude of HIV-specific immune response as determined by ELISpot assay measured two weeks following the 4th vaccination | Day 0 through Week 48 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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HIV Infection, DNA vaccine, Electroporation, HIV therapeutic vaccine