Safety of and Immune Response to the PENNVAX-B DNA Vaccine With and Without IL-12 in HIV-uninfected Adults
Primary Purpose
HIV Infections
Status
Completed
Phase
Phase 1
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
PENNVAX-B
IL-12 DNA plasmids
Sponsored by

About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for HIV Infections focused on measuring HIV Seronegativity, HIV Preventive Vaccine
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Access to a participating HVTN CRS and willingness to be followed for the planned duration of the study
- Ability and willingness to provide informed consent
- Assessment of understanding: volunteer demonstrates understanding of this study and the Step Study results; completes a questionnaire prior to first vaccination, with verbal demonstration of understanding of all questionnaire items answered incorrectly
- Willing to receive HIV test results
- Willingness to discuss HIV infection risks, amenable to risk reduction counseling, 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 on the basis of behaviors within the 12 months prior to enrollment
- Good general health as shown by medical history, physical exam, and screening laboratory tests
- Certain laboratory values. Details on this criterion can be found in the protocol.
- Negative HIV-1 and -2 blood test: US participants must have a negative FDA-approved enzyme immunoassay (EIA).
- 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
- Volunteers who were born female: negative serum or urine beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) pregnancy test performed prior to vaccination on the day of initial vaccination
- Reproductive status: A volunteer who was born female must agree to consistently use effective contraception from at least 21 days prior to enrollment through the last required protocol clinic visit for sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy, or not be of reproductive potential, or be sexually abstinent
- Volunteers who were born female must also agree not to seek pregnancy through alternative methods, such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization until after the last required protocol clinic visit
Exclusion criteria:
- Within the 12 months prior to enrollment: excessive daily alcohol use or frequent binge drinking or chronic marijuana abuse or any other illicit drug use
- Within the 12 months prior to enrollment: a history of newly acquired or diagnosed syphilis; newly acquired gonorrhea, non-gonococcal urethritis, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), trichomonas, mucopurulent cervicitis, epididymitis, proctitis, lymphogranuloma venereum, or chancroid
- Untreated or incompletely treated syphilis infection
- HIV vaccine(s) received in a prior HIV vaccine trial. For potential participants who have received control/placebo in an HIV vaccine trial, documentation of the identity of the study control/placebo must be provided to the HVTN 080 PSRT, who 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. Exceptions may be made for vaccines that have subsequently undergone licensure by the FDA or for those who have received control/placebo in an experimental vaccine trial.
- Immunosuppressive medications received within 168 days before first vaccination. (Not excluded: [1] corticosteroid nasal spray for allergic rhinitis; [2] topical corticosteroids for mild, uncomplicated dermatitis or [3] oral/parenteral corticosteroids given for non-chronic conditions not expected to recur [length of therapy 10 days or less with completion at least 30 days prior to enrollment])
- Blood products received within 120 days before first vaccination
- Immunoglobulin received within 60 days before first vaccination
- Live attenuated vaccines other than influenza vaccine received within 30 days before first vaccination or scheduled within 14 days after injection
- Investigational research agents received within 30 days before first vaccination
- Intent to participate in another study of an investigational research agent during the planned duration of the HVTN 080 study
- Influenza vaccine or any vaccines that are not live attenuated vaccines and were received within 14 days prior to first vaccination (e.g., tetanus, pneumococcal, Hepatitis A or B, HPV)
- Allergy treatment with antigen injections within 30 days before first vaccination or that are scheduled within 14 days after first vaccination
- Current anti-tuberculosis (TB) prophylaxis or therapy
- Allergy to amide-type local anesthetics
- Presence of implanted electronic medical device (e.g., pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator)
- A history of cardiac arrhythmia, e.g., supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, or frequent ectopy on exam. (Not excluded: sinus arrhythmia)
- Clinically significant medical condition, physical examination findings, clinically significant abnormal laboratory results, or past medical history with clinically significant implications for current health.
- 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
- Serious adverse reactions to vaccines including anaphylaxis and related symptoms such as hives, respiratory difficulty, angioedema, and/or abdominal pain.
- Autoimmune disease
- Immunodeficiency
- Asthma other than mild, well-controlled asthma.
- Diabetes mellitus 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
- Angioedema within the last 3 years if episodes are considered serious or have required medication within the last 2 years
- Hypertension
- BMI > 30 kg/m2
- Bleeding disorder diagnosed by a doctor (e.g., factor deficiency, coagulopathy, or platelet disorder requiring special precautions)
- Malignancy (Not excluded: a participant with a surgical excision and subsequent observation period that in the investigator's estimation has a reasonable assurance of sustained cure or is unlikely to recur during the period of the study.)
- Seizure disorder
- Asplenia: any condition resulting in the absence of a functional spleen
- Psychiatric condition that precludes compliance with the protocol
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
Sites / Locations
- Univ. of Rochester HVTN CRS
- 3535 Market Street CRS
- Vanderbilt Vaccine CRS
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm Type
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Arm Label
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Arm Description
Participants will receive 3 mg of PENNVAX-B vaccine or placebo at Months 0, 1, and 3.
Participants will receive 3 mg of PENNVAX-B vaccine and 1 mg of IL-12 vaccine or placebo at Months 0, 1, and 3.
Participants will receive 3 mg of PENNVAX-B vaccine and 1 mg of IL-12 vaccine or placebo at Months 0, 1, and 3.
Outcomes
Primary Outcome Measures
Frequency and severity of local injection/EP site reactogenicity signs and symptoms
Magnitude of local injection/EP site pain as measured by a VAS
Frequency of AEs categorized by MedDRA body system, MedDRA preferred term, severity and assessed relationship to study products; detailed description of all AEs meeting DAIDS criteria for expedited reporting
WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, platelets, ALT, AST, creatinine, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
Number of participants with early discontinuation of vaccinations and reason for discontinuation
Distribution of responses to questions regarding acceptability of study injections via EP
Secondary Outcome Measures
Frequency of T-cell responses as measured by IFN-γ ELISpot
Frequency of CD4+ T cell responses measured by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) for IFN-γ and/or IL-2 to HIV potential T-cell epitope (PTE) peptide pools representing Gag, Pol, and Env
Frequency of CD8+ T cell responses measured by ICS for IFN-γ and/or IL-2 to HIV PTE peptide pools representing Gag, Pol, and Env
Frequency of humoral responses detected by HIV-1-specific neutralizing and binding antibody assays from serum samples
Frequency of vaccine-induced positive results with end-of-study HIV serological testing by commercial assays
Full Information
NCT ID
NCT00991354
First Posted
October 6, 2009
Last Updated
October 13, 2021
Sponsor
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
1. Study Identification
Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT00991354
Brief Title
Safety of and Immune Response to the PENNVAX-B DNA Vaccine With and Without IL-12 in HIV-uninfected Adults
Official Title
A Phase 1 Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of PENNVAX™-B (Gag, Pol, Env) Vaccine, With or Without IL-12 DNA Plasmid, Delivered Via Electroporation in Healthy, HIV-1-Uninfected Adult Participants
Study Type
Interventional
2. Study Status
Record Verification Date
October 2021
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
November 2009 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
February 2011 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
March 2011 (Actual)
3. Sponsor/Collaborators
Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
4. Oversight
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes
5. Study Description
Brief Summary
An effective vaccine may be the only way to stop the HIV pandemic. The purpose of this study is to determine the safety of and immune response to the DNA vaccine, PENNVAX-B with or without an IL-12 adjuvant when given using electroporation.
Detailed Description
An effective and safe vaccine must be developed in order to halt the HIV pandemic. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and immune response to the HIV DNA vaccine, PENNVAX-B when given with and without an IL-12 adjuvant and delivered via electroporation.
Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to one of three groups and will visit the study clinic 9 times over 9 months. Group 1 will enroll first. Participants in this group will receive 3 mg of the PENNVAX-B or placebo vaccine at Months 0, 1, and 3. Once safety data has been examined for Group 1, Group 2 will begin enrollment. Group 2 participants will receive 3 mg of PENNVAX-B vaccine plus 1 mg of IL-12 adjuvant or placebo at Months 0, 1, and 3. Once Group 1 and Group 2 safety data have been collected Group 3 will begin enrollment. These participants will also receive 3 mg of PENNVAX-B vaccine plus 1 mg of IL-12 adjuvant or placebo at Months 0, 1, and 3.
At clinic visits participants will have physical exams and blood and urine collected. After receiving study injections, participants will be observed in the clinic for at least 30 minutes. In addition, participants will be asked to monitor symptoms for 3 days after each injection.
6. Conditions and Keywords
Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
HIV Infections
Keywords
HIV Seronegativity, HIV Preventive Vaccine
7. Study Design
Primary Purpose
Prevention
Study Phase
Phase 1
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
ParticipantInvestigator
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
48 (Actual)
8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions
Arm Title
Group 1
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Participants will receive 3 mg of PENNVAX-B vaccine or placebo at Months 0, 1, and 3.
Arm Title
Group 2
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Participants will receive 3 mg of PENNVAX-B vaccine and 1 mg of IL-12 vaccine or placebo at Months 0, 1, and 3.
Arm Title
Group 3
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Participants will receive 3 mg of PENNVAX-B vaccine and 1 mg of IL-12 vaccine or placebo at Months 0, 1, and 3.
Intervention Type
Biological
Intervention Name(s)
PENNVAX-B
Intervention Description
DNA vaccine encoding the Gag, Pol, and Env proteins of HIV
Intervention Type
Biological
Intervention Name(s)
IL-12 DNA plasmids
Intervention Description
Adjuvant for HIV vaccines
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Frequency and severity of local injection/EP site reactogenicity signs and symptoms
Time Frame
Throughout study
Title
Magnitude of local injection/EP site pain as measured by a VAS
Time Frame
Throughout study
Title
Frequency of AEs categorized by MedDRA body system, MedDRA preferred term, severity and assessed relationship to study products; detailed description of all AEs meeting DAIDS criteria for expedited reporting
Time Frame
Throughout study
Title
WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, platelets, ALT, AST, creatinine, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
Time Frame
At baseline and post-vaccinations
Title
Number of participants with early discontinuation of vaccinations and reason for discontinuation
Time Frame
Throughout study
Title
Distribution of responses to questions regarding acceptability of study injections via EP
Time Frame
Throughout study
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Frequency of T-cell responses as measured by IFN-γ ELISpot
Time Frame
Two Weeks after the second and third vaccinations
Title
Frequency of CD4+ T cell responses measured by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) for IFN-γ and/or IL-2 to HIV potential T-cell epitope (PTE) peptide pools representing Gag, Pol, and Env
Time Frame
After the second and third vaccinations
Title
Frequency of CD8+ T cell responses measured by ICS for IFN-γ and/or IL-2 to HIV PTE peptide pools representing Gag, Pol, and Env
Time Frame
After the second and third vaccinations
Title
Frequency of humoral responses detected by HIV-1-specific neutralizing and binding antibody assays from serum samples
Time Frame
Two weeks after last vaccination
Title
Frequency of vaccine-induced positive results with end-of-study HIV serological testing by commercial assays
Time Frame
Throughout study
10. Eligibility
Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
50 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Access to a participating HVTN CRS and willingness to be followed for the planned duration of the study
Ability and willingness to provide informed consent
Assessment of understanding: volunteer demonstrates understanding of this study and the Step Study results; completes a questionnaire prior to first vaccination, with verbal demonstration of understanding of all questionnaire items answered incorrectly
Willing to receive HIV test results
Willingness to discuss HIV infection risks, amenable to risk reduction counseling, 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 on the basis of behaviors within the 12 months prior to enrollment
Good general health as shown by medical history, physical exam, and screening laboratory tests
Certain laboratory values. Details on this criterion can be found in the protocol.
Negative HIV-1 and -2 blood test: US participants must have a negative FDA-approved enzyme immunoassay (EIA).
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
Volunteers who were born female: negative serum or urine beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) pregnancy test performed prior to vaccination on the day of initial vaccination
Reproductive status: A volunteer who was born female must agree to consistently use effective contraception from at least 21 days prior to enrollment through the last required protocol clinic visit for sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy, or not be of reproductive potential, or be sexually abstinent
Volunteers who were born female must also agree not to seek pregnancy through alternative methods, such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization until after the last required protocol clinic visit
Exclusion criteria:
Within the 12 months prior to enrollment: excessive daily alcohol use or frequent binge drinking or chronic marijuana abuse or any other illicit drug use
Within the 12 months prior to enrollment: a history of newly acquired or diagnosed syphilis; newly acquired gonorrhea, non-gonococcal urethritis, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), trichomonas, mucopurulent cervicitis, epididymitis, proctitis, lymphogranuloma venereum, or chancroid
Untreated or incompletely treated syphilis infection
HIV vaccine(s) received in a prior HIV vaccine trial. For potential participants who have received control/placebo in an HIV vaccine trial, documentation of the identity of the study control/placebo must be provided to the HVTN 080 PSRT, who 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. Exceptions may be made for vaccines that have subsequently undergone licensure by the FDA or for those who have received control/placebo in an experimental vaccine trial.
Immunosuppressive medications received within 168 days before first vaccination. (Not excluded: [1] corticosteroid nasal spray for allergic rhinitis; [2] topical corticosteroids for mild, uncomplicated dermatitis or [3] oral/parenteral corticosteroids given for non-chronic conditions not expected to recur [length of therapy 10 days or less with completion at least 30 days prior to enrollment])
Blood products received within 120 days before first vaccination
Immunoglobulin received within 60 days before first vaccination
Live attenuated vaccines other than influenza vaccine received within 30 days before first vaccination or scheduled within 14 days after injection
Investigational research agents received within 30 days before first vaccination
Intent to participate in another study of an investigational research agent during the planned duration of the HVTN 080 study
Influenza vaccine or any vaccines that are not live attenuated vaccines and were received within 14 days prior to first vaccination (e.g., tetanus, pneumococcal, Hepatitis A or B, HPV)
Allergy treatment with antigen injections within 30 days before first vaccination or that are scheduled within 14 days after first vaccination
Current anti-tuberculosis (TB) prophylaxis or therapy
Allergy to amide-type local anesthetics
Presence of implanted electronic medical device (e.g., pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator)
A history of cardiac arrhythmia, e.g., supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, or frequent ectopy on exam. (Not excluded: sinus arrhythmia)
Clinically significant medical condition, physical examination findings, clinically significant abnormal laboratory results, or past medical history with clinically significant implications for current health.
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
Serious adverse reactions to vaccines including anaphylaxis and related symptoms such as hives, respiratory difficulty, angioedema, and/or abdominal pain.
Autoimmune disease
Immunodeficiency
Asthma other than mild, well-controlled asthma.
Diabetes mellitus 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
Angioedema within the last 3 years if episodes are considered serious or have required medication within the last 2 years
Hypertension
BMI > 30 kg/m2
Bleeding disorder diagnosed by a doctor (e.g., factor deficiency, coagulopathy, or platelet disorder requiring special precautions)
Malignancy (Not excluded: a participant with a surgical excision and subsequent observation period that in the investigator's estimation has a reasonable assurance of sustained cure or is unlikely to recur during the period of the study.)
Seizure disorder
Asplenia: any condition resulting in the absence of a functional spleen
Psychiatric condition that precludes compliance with the protocol
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Univ. of Rochester HVTN CRS
City
Rochester
State/Province
New York
ZIP/Postal Code
14642-0001
Country
United States
Facility Name
3535 Market Street CRS
City
Philadelphia
State/Province
Pennsylvania
ZIP/Postal Code
19104
Country
United States
Facility Name
Vanderbilt Vaccine CRS
City
Nashville
State/Province
Tennessee
ZIP/Postal Code
37232
Country
United States
12. IPD Sharing Statement
Citations:
PubMed Identifier
25820067
Citation
Jin X, Morgan C, Yu X, DeRosa S, Tomaras GD, Montefiori DC, Kublin J, Corey L, Keefer MC; NIAID HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Multiple factors affect immunogenicity of DNA plasmid HIV vaccines in human clinical trials. Vaccine. 2015 May 11;33(20):2347-53. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.03.036. Epub 2015 Mar 25.
Results Reference
derived
Learn more about this trial
Safety of and Immune Response to the PENNVAX-B DNA Vaccine With and Without IL-12 in HIV-uninfected Adults
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