Dataset Information

Intranasal M2SR (M2-Deficient Single Replication) H3N2 Influenza Vaccine Provides Enhanced Mucosal and Serum Antibodies in Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We previously demonstrated that an intranasal dose of 108 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) M2-deficient single replication (M2SR) influenza vaccine protected against highly drifted H3N2 influenza challenge in a subset of subjects who demonstrated ≥2-fold increase in microneutralization (MN) antibodies to Belgium2015 (the challenge strain) after vaccination. Here, we describe a phase 1b, observer-blinded, dose-escalation study demonstrating an increased proportion of responders with this signal of immune protection.

Methods

Serosusceptible subjects aged 18-49 years were randomized to receive 2 doses (108-109 TCID50) of M2SR or placebo administered 28 days apart. Clinical specimens were collected before and after each dose. The primary objective was to demonstrate safety of M2SR vaccines.

Results

The vaccine was well tolerated at all dose levels. Against Belgium2015, ≥ 2-fold increases in MN antibodies were noted among 40% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.9%-56.7%) of subjects following a single 108 TCID50 M2SR dose and among 80.6% (95% CI, 61.4%-92.3%) after 109 dose (P < .001). A single 109 TCID50 dose of M2SR generated ≥4-fold hemagglutination inhibition antibody seroconversion against the vaccine strain in 71% (95% CI, 52.0%-85.8%) of recipients. Mucosal and cellular immune responses were also induced.

Conclusions

These results indicate that M2SR may provide substantial protection against infection with highly drifted strains of H3N2 influenza.

Clinical trials registration

NCT03999554.

SUBMITTER: Eiden J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9796169 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Intranasal M2SR (M2-Deficient Single Replication) H3N2 Influenza Vaccine Provides Enhanced Mucosal and Serum Antibodies in Adults.

Eiden Joseph J Fierro Carlos C Schwartz Howard H Adams Mark M Ellis Kimberly J KJ Aitchison Roger R Herber Renee R Hatta Yasuko Y Marshall David D Moser Michael J MJ Belshe Robert R Greenberg Harry H Coelingh Kathleen K Kawaoka Yoshihiro Y Neumann Gabriele G Bilsel Pamuk P

The Journal of infectious diseases 20221201 1

<h4>Background</h4>We previously demonstrated that an intranasal dose of 108 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) M2-deficient single replication (M2SR) influenza vaccine protected against highly drifted H3N2 influenza challenge in a subset of subjects who demonstrated ≥2-fold increase in microneutralization (MN) antibodies to Belgium2015 (the challenge strain) after vaccination. Here, we describe a phase 1b, observer-blinded, dose-escalation study demonstrating an increased proportion of ...[more]

PMID: 36350017

Similar Datasets

Project description:Abstract Background A single intranasal (IN) dose of 108 TCID50 M2SR protected a responder subset of adults against infection and disease in a prior human influenza challenge study (EudraCT number: 2017-004971-30). Higher dose levels of M2SR were assessed in this phase 1b study to enhance immune responses and further increase protection levels in adults. Methods A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled dose escalation study (NCT03999554) was conducted at 4 US study sites with two different H3N2 M2SR vaccines that contained HA & NA from either A/Brisbane/10/2007 or A/Singapore/INFIMH-16–0019/2016. Serosusceptible 18–49 year old subjects (n = 206) received 2 IN doses of either saline or 1 of 3 different dose levels of vaccine (108 – 109 TCID50), administered 28 days apart. Results Study vaccination was well-tolerated at all dose levels. A single 109 dose of A/Singapore/2016 M2SR generated significantly increased serum HAI responses compared to the 108 dose of A/Brisbane/10/2007 M2SR that had provided protection against infection & illness in an earlier human influenza challenge study (Fig. 1). HAI titers ≥40 were achieved in 0%, 23% & 58% of subjects after the first dose of placebo, 108 or 109 M2SR, respectively (p< 0.003). Increases also were stimulated in serum microneutralization titers (MNT) to drifted strains of H3N2 (Fig 2) & in serum NAI (Fig 3) and mucosal sIgA (Fig 4) titers. Further increases in serum and mucosal immune response were noted after a 2nd IN vaccination. Proportion of subjects with seroprotective HAI titers after vaccination Proportion of subjects with increased microneutralization titers against drifted H3N2 viruses after vaccination Geometric mean fold rise in serum neuraminidase inhibition antibody titers after vaccination Conclusion An earlier clinical trial with a 108 dose of M2SR provided protection against infection and illness upon challenge with a highly drifted strain of H3N2. Protection correlated with vaccine induced serum MNT responses. In the current study, a single, 109 dose of M2SR significantly increased serum MNT, HAI & NAI titers as well as mucosal immune responses among greater proportions of study subjects. Since HAI, alone, is a well-accepted surrogate marker for vaccine protection against influenza, these broader enhancements indicate the potential for M2SR to protect against both matched and drifted strains of influenza in a high proportion of adults and strongly support clinical assessment in younger and older age groups as well as development of multivalent M2SR. Geometric mean fold rise in nasal mucosal secretory IgA antibody titers after vaccination Disclosures Joseph Eiden, MD, PhD, FluGen (Consultant) Ruth Ellis, MD, FluGen (Consultant) Roger Aitchison, ScM, FluGen (Consultant) Renee Herber, BS, FluGen (Employee) Pamuk Bilsel, PhD, FluGen (Employee)

Project description:Abstract Background Demonstration of protection by a M2SR (M2 deficient Single Replication) monovalent H3N2 vaccine was assessed in a phase 2a clinical trial in which the challenge virus was substantially drifted from the vaccine. M2SR is an investigational, live virus vaccine containing hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) selected from targeted Type A influenza strains. M2SR undergoes only a single round of infection in the respiratory epithelium but evokes an immune response profile similar to wild-type influenza virus and protects ferrets against both homologous and heterologous influenza variants. Methods A blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled human challenge study (EudraCT #: 2017-004971-30) was conducted with M2SR containing HA and NA from A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2). 18–55-year-old subjects received 1 IN dose of saline or 108 TCID50 of vaccine. 4 weeks later, 99 subjects were challenged IN with 106 TCID50 H3N2 A/Belgium/4217/2015 (Figures 1 and 2). Results Adverse events (AE) were similar between placebo (N = 51) and M2SR recipients (N = 48) during the 28 days after immunization. After challenge with A/Belgium/4217/2015, 35% of M2SR recipients experienced influenza infection and illness, compared with 49% of placebo subjects (Figure 3). An 18% reduction in viral load was noted after challenge for M2SR subjects. Serum microneutralization response to vaccine was detected in 54% of M2SR subjects (vs. 0/51 placebo subjects), and among these subjects a 34% reduction in viral load and 51% reduction in symptom scores was noted after challenge vs placebo. Among the 29% of subjects with post-vaccine response to both vaccine and challenge strains, a 62% reduction in viral load and 56% reduction in symptom scores was noted after challenge with highly drifted H3N2 (Figure 4). Conclusion One dose of M2SR protected healthy adults against influenza infection and illness with a highly drifted challenge strain. This is believed to be the first study to demonstrate protection against challenge with an influenza strain substantially different from the vaccine and indicates potential for improved breadth of protection by M2SR compared with current vaccines. The mild vaccine AE profile supports clinical trials of additional dose levels and regimens to enhance drifted strain protection by M2SR. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Project description:Abstract Background Influenza vaccines are needed with greater effectiveness and breadth of coverage. FluGen is developing M2SR (M2 deficient Single Replication), an investigational, live virus vaccine. M2SR contains the internal proteins of donor A/Puerto Rico/8/34 and hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) selected from targeted Type A influenza strains. M2SR undergoes only a single round of infection in the respiratory epithelium but evokes an immune response profile similar to wild-type influenza viruses. In influenza naïve and pre-immune ferrets, M2SR protects against multiple influenza A subtypes. Methods A Phase 1, first-in-human, randomized, placebo-control study (FluGen-H3N2-V001; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02822105) was conducted at a single USA site, with 96 adults, ages 18–49 years. Study vaccine contained HA and NA from A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2). Study volunteers received a single intranasal (IN) inoculation with either M2SR at dose levels of 106, 107 or 108 TCID50 or saline placebo (N = 24/cohort). Study subjects were evaluated for virus replication and solicited local and systemic reactions for 7 days, all adverse events (AE) for 28 days and serious AE (SAE) for 180 days. Results No infectious virus was detected in nasal swabs from any vaccinated subject. The most commonly reported AE was mild nasal rhinorrhea/congestion during the first 7 days after vaccination (Figure 1). No subject had fever or a severe reaction to the vaccine. No SAEs were reported. At least one AE was reported among 29%, 58%, and 83% of M2SR subjects administered 106, 107, or 108 TCID50, respectively, and 46% among placebo subjects. There were no notable imbalances among study groups for other events. T- and B-cell responses, including influenza-specific serum and mucosal antibody responses were detected at a significantly higher frequency among vaccine than placebo subjects (Figure 2).Figure 1. Common adverse events first 7 days post-vaccinationFigure 2. Influenza-specific immune responses Conclusion M2SR vaccine was safe and well tolerated at all dose levels, generated a dose-response effect for humoral (HA antibody) and mucosal antibodies against both homologous and heterologous influenza variants, and elicited robust T-cell responses. No infectious virus was detected in nasal swabs from any vaccinated subject. Disclosures J. Eiden, FluGen, Inc.: Consultant, Consulting fee and Stock Options. G. Gordon, FluGen: Consultant, Consulting fee. C. Fierro, FluGen: Investigator, Fee for service. R. Belshe, FluGen: Consultant, Consulting fee and Stock Options. H. Greenberg, FluGen: Consultant, Consulting fee and Stock OpTions. D. Hoft, FluGen: Research Contractor, Fee for service. Y. Hatta, FluGen: Employee, Salary and Stock Options. M. Imboden, FluGen: Employee, Salary and Stock Options. M. Moser, FluGen: Employee, Salary and Stock Options. R. Herber, FluGen: Employee, Salary and Stock Options. D. Boltz, FluGen: Research Contractor, fee for service. M. Tary-Lehmann, FluGen: Research Contractor, Fee for service. CTL: Founder and Owner, Salary. Y. Kawaoka, FluGen: Founder, Stock Options. G. Neumann, FluGen: Founder, Stock Options. P. Radspinner, FluGen: Board Member and Founder, Salary and Stock Options. R. Aitchison, FluGen: Consultant, Consulting fee. P. Bilsel, FluGen: Employee, Salary and Stock Options.

Project description:BACKGROUND:We developed a novel intranasal influenza vaccine approach that is based on the construction of replication-deficient vaccine viruses that lack the entire NS1 gene (DeltaNS1 virus). We previously showed that these viruses undergo abortive replication in the respiratory tract of animals. The local release of type I interferons and other cytokines and chemokines in the upper respiratory tract may have a "self-adjuvant effect", in turn increasing vaccine immunogenicity. As a result, DeltaNS1 viruses elicit strong B- and T- cell mediated immune responses. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We applied this technology to the development of a pandemic H5N1 vaccine candidate. The vaccine virus was constructed by reverse genetics in Vero cells, as a 5:3 reassortant, encoding four proteins HA, NA, M1, and M2 of the A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus while the remaining genes were derived from IVR-116. The HA cleavage site was modified in a trypsin dependent manner, serving as the second attenuation factor in addition to the deleted NS1 gene. The vaccine candidate was able to grow in the Vero cells that were cultivated in a serum free medium to titers exceeding 8 log(10) TCID(50)/ml. The vaccine virus was replication deficient in interferon competent cells and did not lead to viral shedding in the vaccinated animals. The studies performed in three animal models confirmed the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine. Intranasal immunization protected ferrets and mice from being infected with influenza H5 viruses of different clades. In a primate model (Macaca mulatta), one dose of vaccine delivered intranasally was sufficient for the induction of antibodies against homologous A/Vietnam/1203/04 and heterologous A/Indonesia/5/05 H5N1 strains. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE:Our findings show that intranasal immunization with the replication deficient H5N1 DeltaNS1 vaccine candidate is sufficient to induce a protective immune response against H5N1 viruses. This approach might be attractive as an alternative to conventional influenza vaccines. Clinical evaluation of DeltaNS1 pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine candidates are currently in progress.

Project description:Current influenza vaccines do not provide effective protection against heterologous influenza viruses. The ability of the novel M2SR influenza vaccine to protect against drifted influenza viruses was evaluated in naïve ferrets and in ferrets with pre-existing immunity to influenza. In naïve ferrets, M2SR provided similar protection against drifted challenge viruses as the comparator vaccine, FluMist®. However, in ferrets with pre-existing immunity, M2SR provided superior protection than FluMist in two model systems. In the first model, ferrets were infected with influenza A H1N1pdm and influenza B viruses to mimic the diverse influenza exposure in humans. The pre-infected ferrets, seropositive to H1N1pdm and influenza B but seronegative to H3N2, were then vaccinated with H3N2 M2SR or monovalent H3N2 FluMist virus (A/Brisbane/10/2007, clade 1) and challenged 6 weeks later with a drifted H3N2 virus (clade 3C.2a). Antibody titers to Brisbane/10/2007 were higher in M2SR vaccinated ferrets than in FluMist vaccinated ferrets in the pre-infected ferrets whereas the opposite was observed in naïve ferrets. After challenge with drifted H3N2 virus, M2SR provided superior protection than FluMist monovalent vaccine. In the second model, the impact of homologous pre-existing immunity upon vaccine-induced protection was evaluated. Ferrets, pre-infected with H1N1pdm virus, were vaccinated 90 days later with H1N1pdm M2SR or FluMist monovalent vaccine and challenged 6 weeks later with a pre-pandemic seasonal H1N1 virus, A/Brisbane/59/2007 (Bris59). While cross-reactive serum IgG antibodies against the Bris59 HA were detected after vaccination, anti-Bris59 hemagglutination inhibition antibodies were only detected post-challenge. M2SR provided better protection against Bris59 challenge than FluMist suggesting that homologous pre-existing immunity affected FluMist virus to a greater degree than M2SR. These results suggest that the single replication intranasal M2SR vaccine provides effective protection against drifted influenza A viruses not only in naïve ferrets but also in those with pre-existing immunity in contrast to FluMist viruses.

Dataset Information

Intranasal M2SR (M2-Deficient Single Replication) H3N2 Influenza Vaccine Provides Enhanced Mucosal and Serum Antibodies in Adults.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical trials registration

Publications

Intranasal M2SR (M2-Deficient Single Replication) H3N2 Influenza Vaccine Provides Enhanced Mucosal and Serum Antibodies in Adults.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets