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Age Differences in Influenza and Herpes Zoster Vaccine Responses (INFLUENZA-SHINGRIX)

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Influenza
Herpes Zoster
Interventions
Biological: Herpes zoster vaccination (Shingrix, GSK)
Biological: Influenza Vaccine (Fluarix Tetra Northern Hemisphere 2021 or 2022, GSK)
Biological: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT05082688
Lead Sponsor
Radboud University Medical Center
Brief Summary

Vaccines are used to prevent infectious diseases worldwide. Unfortunately, many vaccines, like the flu vaccine, are less effective in older adults.

This single-centre open label partially randomised, partially placebo-controlled trial evaluates the differences in immune response between young and older adults after vaccination with a quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine and an adjuvanted herpes zoster vaccination.

Exploring the underlying mechanisms between the differences in immunogenicity can provide important information for future vaccine development.

Detailed Description

Rationale: Vaccination of the older adults is often advised as they are a high-risk population; however, vaccine efficacy generally decreases with age. This is mainly due to a decrease in adaptive immune responses known as immunosenescence, which is a factor influencing the response to influenza vaccination. On the other hand, there are vaccines that show high efficacy (more than 95%) in older adults, one of the most effective being the AS01 adjuvanted herpes zoster vaccine, Shingrix. The differential immune pathways associated with vaccine responsiveness as well as the immune mechanisms by which adjuvants overcome immunosenescence remain poorly understood. Targeting key immune pathways could be a way to improve vaccine efficacy in older adults.

Objective: To explore immunological features between young and older adults after administration of an adjuvanted herpes zoster (Shingrix) or influenza unadjuvanted (Fluarix) vaccine that could explain differences in vaccine immunogenicity.

Study design: A single centre open label, randomised, and partially placebo-controlled trial Study population: Approximately 140 healthy adults, 80 of which are between 18-35 years old, the other 60 are 60+ years old.

Intervention: Two groups of young and elderly volunteers receive recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix), while two other groups will receive a quadrivalent influenza vaccine (Fluarix). Two groups of young volunteers will receive a placebo.

Main study parameter: To identify immune senescence-related differences contributing to vaccine immunogenicity

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
148
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age between 18-35 years old OR age ≥60 years old
  • Written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Known allergy to (components of) the influenza or herpes zoster vaccine
  • Immunocompromised subjects and subjects with active malignancy within the last two years
  • Previous herpes zoster vaccination in the last year
  • Receipt of any vaccination 4 weeks prior to the start of the study or plans to receive any other vaccination in the first 2 months after inclusion
  • Use of systemic immunomodulatory drugs:steroids, anti-inflammatory biological treatments (e.g. anti-cytokine monoclonal antibodies)
  • Acute or active illness within two weeks prior to the start of the study
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the study period

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1: Young adults herpes zoster vaccinationHerpes zoster vaccination (Shingrix, GSK)Young adults between 18 and 35 years old will receive the herpes zoster vaccine (Shingrix). 60 days later, they will receive a booster dose.
4: Older adults influenza vaccinationInfluenza Vaccine (Fluarix Tetra Northern Hemisphere 2021 or 2022, GSK)Adults older than 60 years of age will receive the influenza vaccine (Fluarix Tetra).
3: Young adults influenza vaccinationInfluenza Vaccine (Fluarix Tetra Northern Hemisphere 2021 or 2022, GSK)Young adults between 18 and 35 years old will receive the influenza vaccine (Fluarix Tetra).
2: Older adults herpes zoster vaccinationHerpes zoster vaccination (Shingrix, GSK)Adults older than 60 years of age will receive the herpes zoster vaccine (Shingrix). 60 days later, they will receive a booster dose.
5: Young adults herpes zoster vaccination related placeboPlaceboYoung adults between 18 and 35 years old will receive the placebo injection (0.9% NaCl). 60 days later, they will receive another placebo.
6: Young adults influenza vaccination related placeboPlaceboYoung adults between 18 and 35 years old will receive the placebo injection (0.9% NaCl).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in cytokine productions of PBMCs upon incubation with viral, bacterial, and fungal antigens6 months after the second dose of herpes zoster vaccination

IL-6, TNF, IL-1b, IFNg cytokine concentrations will be measured.

Change in transcriptional profile of individual cells from PBMC population6 months after influenza vaccination

Gene expression profile of PBMCs will be measured by single cell-RNA sequencing.

Transcriptional profile of individual cells from PBMC population6 months after the second dose of herpes zoster vaccination

Gene expression profile of PBMCs will be measured by single cell-RNA sequencing.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in B and T cell receptor repertoires2 months after the second dose of herpes zoster vaccination

B and T cell receptors will be sequenced.

Changes in circulating protein concentrations2 months after the second dose of herpes zoster vaccination

Concentrations of circulating inflammatory proteins, including TNF, IL-6, IL-8, CCL3, CCL4, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, will be measured by Olink.

Baseline DNA methylationBaseline (before vaccination)

CpG methylation profile of PBMCs

Changes in the adaptive immune cell populations in blood6 months after the second dose of herpes zoster vaccination

Ratio of adaptive immune cells (T and B cells) and their subtypes will be measured by FACS.

Changes in epigenetic markers in PBMCs6 months after the second herpes zoster vaccination

ATAC-sequencing will be performed to measure post transcriptional modifications (methylation, acetylation, etc) on histones.

C-reactive protein in the serumBaseline (before vaccination)

Soluble C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations will be measured.

Influenza vaccine-specific antibodies in the serum2 months after influenza vaccination

HAI titers will be measured.

Shingles vaccine-specific antibody production in serum2 months after the second herpes zoster vaccination

Anti-gE titers will be measured.

Shingles vaccine-specific antibody production in the serum2 months after the first herpes zoster vaccination

Anti-gE titers will be measured.

Percentage of participants reporting local reactions7 days after influenza and herpes zoster vaccination

Pain at the injection site, redness, and swelling

Percentage of participants reporting systemic events7 days after influenza and herpes zoster vaccination

Fever, fatigue, headache, chills, vomiting, diarrhea

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Radboud University

🇳🇱

Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands

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