HPV Vaccination in HIV Infected and HIV Uninfected Adolescents in Eswatini

August 19, 2025 updated by: Elaine J. Abrams, MD, Columbia University

A Multi-site, Open-label Non-inferiority Trial to Assess Immunogenicity of Two Doses of the Nonavalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Among Children, Adolescents and Young Adults (9-26 Years) Living With HIV vs Three Doses of Nonavalent HPV Vaccine Among HIV Uninfected Young Women (15-26 Years) in Eswatini

This is a multi-site, open-label non-inferiority study of the 9vHPV vaccine among a population of children, adolescents and young women living with HIV in Eswatini. This protocol seeks to assess immunogenicity of a two-dose 9vHPV vaccine regimen among girls and boys (9-14 years) and young women (15-26 years) living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy versus a three-dose 9vHPV vaccine regimen among HIV uninfected young women (15-26 years) in Eswatini. The secondary objectives include examining the safety profiles of the two-dose 9vHPV regimen in those living with HIV and the three-dose 9vHPV regimen in HIV-uninfected young women, as well as measuring the completion of the vaccination series among those living with HIV and those who are not infected with HIV.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Cervical cancer remains a significant threat to public health worldwide and remains the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in women in Sub Saharan Africa. Cervical cancer-associated morbidity and mortality is preventable through HPV vaccination, and screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions. To date, there is no nationwide HPV vaccination program in Eswatini and the country is not eligible for Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) procurement of HPV vaccines, and yet the triad of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and cervical cancer generates a severe disease burden warranting immediate introduction of this intervention. Given the global limitations in vaccine supply and the high cost for procurement, country programs, including in Eswatini, must optimize vaccine resources in order to maximize HPV vaccine coverage.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
1403

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Eswatini
      • Manzini, Eswatini
        • AHF Lamvelase
      • Manzini, Eswatini
        • AHF Manzini
      • Manzini, Eswatini
        • Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital
      • Matsapha, Eswatini
        • AHF Matsapha
      • Mbabane, Eswatini
        • Baylor College of Medicine - Bristol Myers-Squibb Children's Clinical Centre of Excellence

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

9 years to 26 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

For people living with HIV receiving two-dose regimen:

  • Females 9-26 years and males 9-14 years,
  • Documented HIV infection,
  • Aware of HIV+ status,
  • Currently receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV infection for at least six months,
  • Living in Eswatini,
  • For individuals 18+ years: able to provide informed consent,
  • For individuals 15-17 years: able to provide informed assent,
  • For individuals 9-14 years of age: able to provide informed assent AND accompanied by an adult caregiver who is able to give informed consent,
  • Intending to remain in the vicinity of the study sites for the study period

For reference group of HIV-uninfected women receiving three-dose regimen:

  • Females 15-26 years,
  • Documented negative HIV test at baseline
  • Living in Eswatini,
  • Able to provide informed assent (15-17 years) or informed consent (18-26 years)
  • Intending to remain in the vicinity of the study sites for the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

For all participants:

  • Diagnosis of other immunosuppressive diseases or receipt of immunosuppressive medications,
  • Diagnosis of other acute or chronic illness,
  • Receipt of other vaccinations within 2-3 weeks before or after study vaccination,
  • Receipt of blood-derived products within 6 months before or during the study,
  • Previous receipt of an HPV vaccine,
  • Currently pregnant,
  • Known allergies to a vaccine component

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: 2-dose regimen group
Boys and girls (aged 9-14 years) and young women (aged 15-26 years) living with HIV will receive a two-dose regimen of the HPV vaccine at baseline (Month 0) and Month 6.
Biological: Gardasil ® 9

GARDASIL 9 is a vaccine indicated in girls and women 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of the following diseases: Cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancer, and Genital warts (condyloma acuminata) caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

0.5-mL suspension for intramuscular injection as a single-dose vial and prefilled syringe at the following regimen/schedule: 9 through 14 years - 2-dose at 0, 6 to 12 months OR 3-dose at 0, 2, 6 months 15 through 45 years - 3-dose at 0, 2, 6 months

Other Names:
  • Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant
  • 9vHPV vaccine
Active Comparator: 3-dose regimen group (SOC)
HIV-uninfected young women (aged 15-26 years) will receive the standard of care three-dose regimen of the HPV vaccine at baseline (Month 0), Month 2 and Month 6.
Biological: Gardasil ® 9

GARDASIL 9 is a vaccine indicated in girls and women 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of the following diseases: Cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancer, and Genital warts (condyloma acuminata) caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

0.5-mL suspension for intramuscular injection as a single-dose vial and prefilled syringe at the following regimen/schedule: 9 through 14 years - 2-dose at 0, 6 to 12 months OR 3-dose at 0, 2, 6 months 15 through 45 years - 3-dose at 0, 2, 6 months

Other Names:
  • Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant
  • 9vHPV vaccine

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Anti-HPV geometric mean antibody titers
Time Frame: Month 7 (4 weeks post Month 6 vaccine dose)
Serum antibodies against HPV antigens (IgG, IFNg, TNF, IL2, CXCL10, granzyme, perforin, PTX3). Geometric mean titers will be summarized by treatment group, and the ratios of mean GMTs between treatment and control and their 95% confidence intervals calculated around point estimates.
Month 7 (4 weeks post Month 6 vaccine dose)
Number of seroconversions
Time Frame: Month 7 (4 weeks post Month 6 vaccine dose)
Number of participants who seroconvert, defined as having no HPV antibodies pre-vaccination, but detectable HPV antibodies at 4 weeks post month 6 vaccine dose
Month 7 (4 weeks post Month 6 vaccine dose)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of participants with serious adverse events (SAE)
Time Frame: Up to 6 months
Number of participants who reported experiences of SAE. SAE is defined as those that experienced death, life-threatening conditions or hospitalizations.
Up to 6 months
Number of participants completing vaccination series
Time Frame: Up to 6 months
Number of eligible participants completing the 2-dose or 3-dose regimens will be tallied.
Up to 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Columbia University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Jhpiego

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Elaine Abrams, MD, Columbia University
  • Principal Investigator: Xolisile Dlamini, Ministry of Health Eswatini

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 1, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 9, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 9, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 20, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 20, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 29, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 24, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 19, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • AAAT6912
  • 7200AA19CA 00003 (Other Grant/Funding Number: USAID)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Data sharing plan is still under development. The plan will follow all in-country requirements for research conducted in Eswatini.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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