A Study of a New Candidate Vaccine Against Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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HCV001 is a Phase I study to ascertain the safety and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine against Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The vaccine is based on the sequential delivery, by intramuscular route, of two different adenoviral vectors, of human and chimpanzee origin respectively, bearing the same genetic information for HCV antigens (NS region). The two recombinant vectors, called Ad6NSmut and AdCh3NSmut, are weakened and unable to multiply within the body; they are designed to induce an immune response against HCV proteins. Although Ad6NSmut and AdCh3NSmut have never been given to humans before this trial, promising results have been obtained in non-human studies. The HCV001 study is designed to explore different prime-boost regimes concerning dose, order and interval of administration of Ad6NSmut and AdCh3NSmut.

Official Title
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A Phase I Study to Assess the Safety and Immunogenicity of New Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine Candidates AdCh3NSmut and Ad6NSmut

Conditions
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Hepatitis C

Intervention / Treatment
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* Biological: Ad6NSmut; AdCh3NSmut
* Biological: Ad6NSmut; AdCh3NSmut
* Biological: Ad6NSmut; AdCh3NSmut
* Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut
* Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut
* Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut
* Biological: Ad6NSmut; AdCh3NSmut
* Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut
* Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: The volunteer must satisfy all the following criteria to be eligible for the study: Healthy adults aged 18 to 50 years (inclusive) Resident in or near the trial sites for the duration of the vaccination study Able and willing (in the Investigator's opinion) to comply with all study requirements Willing to allow the investigators to discuss the volunteer's medical history with their General Practitioner For females only, willingness to practice continuous effective barrier contraception during the study and a negative pregnancy test on the day(s) of vaccination For men to use barrier contraception until three months after the last vaccination Agreement to refrain from blood donation during the course of the study Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: The volunteer may not enter the study if any of the following apply: Participation in another research study involving an investigational product in the 30 days preceding enrolment, or planned use during the study period Prior receipt of a recombinant simian or human adenoviral vaccine Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the three months preceding the planned administration of the vaccine candidate Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state, including HIV infection; asplenia; recurrent, severe infections and chronic (more than 14 days) immunosuppressant medication within the past 6 months (inhaled and topical steroids are allowed) History of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the vaccine, e.g., Kathon History of clinically significant contact dermatitis Any history of anaphylaxis in reaction to vaccination Pregnancy, lactation or willingness/intention to become pregnant during the study History of cancer (except basal cell carcinoma of the skin and cervical carcinoma in situ) History of serious psychiatric condition Any other serious chronic illness requiring hospital specialist supervision Suspected or known current alcohol abuse as defined by an alcohol intake of greater than 42 units every week Suspected or known injecting drug abuse Seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) Seropositive for HIV (antibodies to HIV) at screening Seropositive for hepatitis C virus (antibodies to HCV) at screening Seropositive for simian adenovirus 3 (antibodies to AdCh3) at titres >200, at screening Seropositive for human adenovirus 6 (antibodies to Ad6) at titres >200, at screening Any other significant disease, disorder or finding, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the volunteer at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the result of the study, or the volunteer's ability to participate in the study Any clinically significant abnormal finding on screening biochemistry or haematology blood tests or urinalysis Any other finding which in the opinion of the investigators would significantly increase the risk of having an adverse outcome from participating in the protocol Individuals who have had a temperature >38°C in the 3 days preceding vaccination. Vulnerable subjects (according to the ICH E6 GCP)

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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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Arm A, group 1<br>4 volunteers | Biological: Ad6NSmut; AdCh3NSmut<br>* 2 doses Ad6NSmut 5 x 10^8vp at weeks 0 and 4 and 1 dose AdCh3NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 24.<br>|
| Experimental: Arm A, group 2<br>4 volunteers | Biological: Ad6NSmut; AdCh3NSmut<br>* 2 doses Ad6NSmut 5 x 10^9vp at weeks 0 and 4 and 1 dose AdCh3NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 24.<br>|
| Experimental: Arm A, group 3<br>5 volunteers | Biological: Ad6NSmut; AdCh3NSmut<br>* 2 doses Ad6NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at weeks 0 and 4 and 1 dose AdCh3NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 24.<br>|
| Experimental: Arm B, group 5<br>4 volunteers | Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut<br>* 2 doses AdCh3NSmut 5 x 10^8vp at weeks 0 and 4 and 1 dose Ad6NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 24.<br>|
| Experimental: Arm B, group 6<br>4 volunteers | Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut<br>* 2 doses AdCh3NSmut 5 x 10^9vp at weeks 0 and 4 and 1 dose Ad6NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 24.<br>|
| Experimental: Arm B, group 7<br>5 volunteers | Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut<br>* 2 doses AdCh3NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at weeks 0 and 4 and 1 dose Ad6NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 24.<br>|
| Experimental: Arm C, group 9<br>5 volunteers | Biological: Ad6NSmut; AdCh3NSmut<br>* 1 dose Ad6NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 0 and 1 dose AdCh3NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 8.<br>|
| Experimental: Arm C, group 10<br>5 volunteers | Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut<br>* 1 dose AdCh3NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 0 and 1 dose Ad6NSmut 2.5 x 10^10vp at week 8.<br>|
| Experimental: Arm C, group 11<br>4 volunteers | Biological: AdCh3NSmut; Ad6NSmut<br>* 1 dose AdCh3NSmut 7.5 x 10^10vp at week 0 and 1 dose Ad6NSmut 7.5 x 10^10vp at week 8.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To assess the safety of AdCh3NSmut and Ad6NSmut, when administered in a prime/boost regimen to healthy volunteers. The specific endpoints for safety and reactogenicity will be actively and passively collected data on adverse events. |  | Different time points depending on the study groups with a 6-months follow-up after last vaccination for all groups | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To assess the immunogenicity of AdCh3NSmut and Ad6NSmut, when administered in prime/boost regimen to healthy volunteers. The specific endpoint of cellular immune response will be collected via IFNγ ELIspot assay and other exploratory immunological tests. |  | Different time points depending on the study groups with a 6-months follow-up after last vaccination for all groups | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Hepatitis C virus, HCV, Adenovirus, Vaccine