Double-blind, Randomized, Controlled Study of Safety, Immunogenicity and Efficacy of a Candidate Malaria Vaccine

A Dbl-blind,Randomized,Controlled,Phase IIb Field Trial in 12-47 Month-old Children in Western Kenya to Eval the Efficacy,Safety and Immunogenicity of the FMP1/AS02A Malaria Vaccine vs Rabies Vaccine

This trial is currently evaluating one candidate malaria vaccine, FMP1/AS02A. This candidate malaria vaccine is being developed for the routine immunization of infants and children living in malaria-endemic areas. This vaccine would offer protection against malaria disease due to the parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Prior to the start of this study, FMP1/AS02A had been given to approximately 60 malaria-naïve adults and 40 adults and 90 children living in malaria-endemic regions.

This study will investigate whether the candidate vaccine prevents malaria disease for 6 months post-vaccination.

One half of the enrolled subjects will receive FMP1/AS02A and the other half rabies vaccine (RabAvert).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Malaria, Falciparum
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: FMP1/AS02A; Biological: RabAvert

Detailed Description

Field trial of a candidate antigen/adjuvant conducted at one study center with 12 outlying (satellite) field stations. Subjects were screened no more than 45 days prior to the first inoculation and were randomized on the first day of vaccination 1:1 between two arms (FMP1/AS02A and rabies vaccine). The planned immunization schedule was 0, 1, and 2 months for both study arms; however, the 4-week intervals between doses could be extended for up to 2 additional weeks if temporary suspension was deemed advisable due to serious adverse events (SAEs) or other concerns. Vaccinations were administered intramuscularly (IM) in the left anterolateral thigh muscle unless a compelling reason for using an alternate injection site was evident. Each subject participated in the study approximately 14 months with 7-day follow-up for solicited adverse events (five visits: vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6) and 30-day follow-up for unsolicited events (vaccination day plus 29 subsequent days). Follow-up of SAEs continued for study duration. Active case detection occurred during the Efficacy Follow-up Period (169 days, starting 14 days after the third vaccination (Day 71)), active case detection commenced with visits approximately every 28 days to the Walter Reed Project Kombewa clinic and terminated after 6 months (approximately Day 240). The primary study analysis for all endpoints was completed on the cleaned Efficacy Follow-up Period database after a data-lock-point. The Addendum Efficacy Follow-up Period (125 days) started with the end of the Efficacy Follow-up Period (approximately Day 240) and active case detection commenced with visits approximately every 28 days to the Walter Reed Project Kombewa Clinic and terminated after 10 months (approximately Day 364). The study addendum analysis for all endpoints was completed after the Addendum Efficacy Follow-up Period database after a data-lock-point.

Malaria cases were detected actively and passively. Active case detection was handled through scheduled (1) facilitated participant visits to the Kombewa Clinic and (2) field worker visits to participant homes. Passive case detection was handled through unscheduled, self-presentation of participants to the Kombewa Clinic. At scheduled clinic visits, blood samples were taken from all subjects to determine parasite density and hemoglobin levels. At home visits, subjects with fever or other illness within the 24 hours were transported to the clinic for collection of blood samples.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 400
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Kenya
  • Nyanza Province
    • Kisumu, Nyanza Province, Kenya
      • Walter Reed Project, Kombewa Clinic

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 1 year to 3 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

All subjects must satisfy the following criteria at study entry:

• A healthy male or female child, 12 to 47 months of age on the day of screening
• Written informed consent obtained from at least one parent/guardian before study start
• Available to participate for the study duration (about 14 months)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute disease at the time of entry into the study that in the opinion of the investigator may pose a threat to the subject
• Prior receipt of a rabies vaccine or any investigational vaccine
• Use of any investigational drug or vaccine other than the study vaccine within 30 days preceding the first dose of study vaccine, or planned use up to 30 days after the third dose
• Administration of chronic (defined as more than 14 days) immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs within six months of vaccination. (For corticosteroids, this will mean prednisone, or equivalent, greater than or equal to 0.5 mg/kg/day. Inhaled and topical steroids are allowed)
• Administration or anticipated administration of a vaccine not foreseen by the study protocol within 30 days of the first dose of vaccine(s) with the exception of tetanus toxoid
• Previous vaccination with a vaccine containing MPL or QS21 (e.g., RTS,S/AS02A)
• Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient condition, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. (No HIV test will be performed as part of this study.)
• History of allergic reactions or anaphylaxis to immunizations or to any vaccine components, such as eggs
• History of surgical splenectomy
• Administration of immunoglobulins, blood transfusions, or any other blood products within the six months preceding the first dose of study vaccine or planned administration during the study period
• Simultaneous participation in any other clinical trial
• Acute or chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal condition that in the opinion of the PI, may increase the risk to the subject from participating in the study
• Any other condition or circumstance that in the opinion of the investigator may pose a threat to the subject

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: FMP1/AS02A; FMP1/AS02A candidate malaria vaccine was administered IM in the left anterolateral thigh muscle at 0, 1, and 2 months	Biological: FMP1/AS02A; FMP1/AS02A candidate malaria vaccine
Active Comparator: RabAvert (rabies vaccine); RabAvert vaccine was administered IM in the left anterolateral thigh muscle at 0, 1, and 2 months	Biological: RabAvert; RabAvert rabies vaccine

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Subjects Time to First Clinical Episode of P Falciparum Malaria During the Efficacy Follow-up Period Adjusted for Time at Risk - Intent to Treat (ITT) Population	Days to first clinical episode of P falciparum malaria during the efficacy f/u period for ITT population Time at Risk adjusted for: SA= study absence MT= malaria treatment SA MT= study absence and malaria treatment Case Definitions: Primary = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >50K parasites/µL blood Secondary (200) = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >200K parasites/µL blood Secondary (100) = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >100K parasites/µL blood Secondary (10) = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >10K parasites/µL blood Secondary (0) = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >0 parasites/µL blood Secondary (0*) = >37.5°C OR history of fever in the last 24 hrs with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >0 parasites/µL blood	starting 14 days after the 3rd vaccination (day 71), every 28 days and ending on day 240

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Time to First Clinical Episode of P Falciparum Malaria During the Efficacy Follow-up Period Adjusted for Time at Risk - According to Protocol (ATP) Population	Days to first clinical episode of P falciparum malaria during the efficacy f/u period for ATP population Time at Risk adjusted for: SA= study absence MT= malaria treatment SA MT= study absence and malaria treatment Case Definitions: Primary = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >50K parasites/µL blood Secondary (200) = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >200K parasites/µL blood Secondary (100) = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >100K parasites/µL blood Secondary (10) = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >10K parasites/µL blood Secondary (0) = >37.5°C with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >0 parasites/µL blood Secondary (0*) = >37.5°C OR history of fever in the last 24 hrs with presence of a density of asexual stage P. falciparum >0 parasites/µL blood	starting 14 days after the 3rd vaccination (day 71), every 28 days and ending on day 240
Vaccine-Related Solicited Symptoms During 7-day Follow-up Period by Immunization - Intent to Treat (ITT) Population	Each subject participated in the study approximately 14 months with 7-day follow-up for solicited adverse events (five visits: vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6). I1 = Immunization 1 I2 = Immunization 2 I3 = Immunization 3	vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6
Vaccine-Related Solicited Symptoms During 7-day Follow-up Period by Immunization - According to Protocol (ATP) Population	Each subject participated in the study approximately 14 months with 7-day follow-up for solicited adverse events (five visits: vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6). I1 = Immunization 1 I2 = Immunization 2 I3 = Immunization 3	vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6
Vaccine-Related Unsolicited Adverse Events by Immunization - Intent to Treat (ITT) Population	Each subject participated in the study approximately 14 months with 7-day follow-up for solicited adverse events (five visits: vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6) and 30-day follow-up for unsolicited events (vaccination day plus 29 subsequent days). I1 = Immunization 1 I2 = Immunization 2 I3 = Immunization 3	vaccination day and 29 subsequent days
Vaccine-Related Unsolicited Adverse Events by Immunization - According to Protocol (ATP) Population	Each subject participated in the study approximately 14 months with 7-day follow-up for solicited adverse events (five visits: vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6) and 30-day follow-up for unsolicited events (vaccination day plus 29 subsequent days). I1 = Immunization 1 I2 = Immunization 2 I3 = Immunization 3	vaccination day and 29 subsequent days
Number of Patients Who Showed Symptoms, Unsolicited Adverse Events, and Serious Adverse Events by Immunization	Each subject participated in the study approximately 14 months with 7-day follow-up for solicited adverse events (five visits: vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6) and 30-day follow-up for unsolicited events (vaccination day plus 29 subsequent days). Follow-up of SAEs continued for study duration (364 days)	vaccination day plus post-vaccine days 1, 2, 3, and 6; 30 day follow-up for unsolicited events and follow-up for SAEs to continue for duration of study (364 days)
Vaccine-Related Local and Systemic Solicited Adverse Events by Immunization - According to Protocol (ATP)	Each subject participated in the study approximately 14 months with 7-day follow-up for solicited adverse events (five visits: vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6) and 30-day follow-up for unsolicited events (vaccination day plus 29 subsequent days). I1 = Immunization 1 I2 = Immunization 2 I3 = Immunization 3	vaccination day plus 29 subsequent days
Vaccine-Related Local and Systemic Solicited Adverse Events by Immunization - Intent to Treat (ITT)	Each subject participated in the study approximately 14 months with 7-day follow-up for solicited adverse events (five visits: vaccination day plus post-vaccination days 1, 2, 3, and 6) and 30-day follow-up for unsolicited events (vaccination day plus 29 subsequent days). I1 = Immunization 1 I2 = Immunization 2 I3 = Immunization 3	vaccination day plus 29 subsequent days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command
• Collaborators: GlaxoSmithKline; United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR); Kenya Medical Research Institute; The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Bernhards Ogutu, M.D., Kenya Medical Research Institute

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Pichyangkul S, Gettayacamin M, Miller RS, Lyon JA, Angov E, Tongtawe P, Ruble DL, Heppner DG Jr, Kester KE, Ballou WR, Diggs CL, Voss G, Cohen JD, Walsh DS. Pre-clinical evaluation of the malaria vaccine candidate P. falciparum MSP1(42) formulated with novel adjuvants or with alum. Vaccine. 2004 Sep 28;22(29-30):3831-40. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2004.07.023.
• Angov E, Aufiero BM, Turgeon AM, Van Handenhove M, Ockenhouse CF, Kester KE, Walsh DS, McBride JS, Dubois MC, Cohen J, Haynes JD, Eckels KH, Heppner DG, Ballou WR, Diggs CL, Lyon JA. Development and pre-clinical analysis of a Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein-1(42) malaria vaccine. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2003 May;128(2):195-204. doi: 10.1016/s0166-6851(03)00077-x.
• Ogutu BR, Apollo OJ, McKinney D, Okoth W, Siangla J, Dubovsky F, Tucker K, Waitumbi JN, Diggs C, Wittes J, Malkin E, Leach A, Soisson LA, Milman JB, Otieno L, Holland CA, Polhemus M, Remich SA, Ockenhouse CF, Cohen J, Ballou WR, Martin SK, Angov E, Stewart VA, Lyon JA, Heppner DG, Withers MR; MSP-1 Malaria Vaccine Working Group. Blood stage malaria vaccine eliciting high antigen-specific antibody concentrations confers no protection to young children in Western Kenya. PLoS One. 2009;4(3):e4708. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004708. Epub 2009 Mar 5.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 8, 2005
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 26, 2006
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 13, 2005
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 13, 2005
• First Posted (Estimate): September 22, 2005

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 12, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 10, 2021
• Last Verified: February 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: vaccine; malaria; falciparum; Plasmodium; AS02A adjuvant; FMP1; Merozoite surface protein-1
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Infections; Vector Borne Diseases; Parasitic Diseases; Protozoan Infections; Malaria; Malaria, Falciparum
• Other Study ID Numbers: A-13228; 1123 (WRAIR); IND 9202 (Other Identifier: FDA)