Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) gH/gL/gp42-Ferritin Nanoparticle Vaccine With or Without gp350-Ferritin in Healthy Adults With or Without EBV Infection

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NIAID) · Apr 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is testing two different vaccines aimed at preventing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, often referred to as mono. Since EBV affects a large number of people and can lead to serious health issues, like certain cancers and autoimmune diseases, the researchers want to see if these vaccines can help protect against these risks. The trial is open to healthy adults aged 18 to 29, whether or not they have been infected with EBV before.

Participants in the study will receive three shots of the vaccine over several months, and they will have regular check-ins, both in person and through phone calls, to monitor their health and any side effects. Each visit might take up to four hours, and the entire study will last about 17 months, with an option to continue for another year. To be eligible, participants should be in good health and agree to follow certain guidelines regarding contraception if they are able to become pregnant. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it’s important for those interested to understand the commitment involved.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• * INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
• • 1. 18 to 29 years old.
• • 2. Able to provide informed consent.
• • 3. Willingness to allow storage of blood and saliva for future research.
• • 4. In good general health as evidenced by medical history, physical examination, and laboratory screening results.
• • 5. Participant is willing to forgo receipt of a licensed, live vaccine in the 30 days preceding each dose of vaccine or in the 30 days following each dose of vaccine. Any FDA-approved inactivated, subunit, or replication-defective vaccine (such as COVID-19, influenza, tetanus, etc.) can be used \>=14 days before or \>=14 days after administration of the study vaccine.
• • 6. Participants of reproductive potential who are sexually active with a partner who can impregnate them: use of highly effective continuous contraception for at least 30 days prior to Day 0 and agreement to continue use until 60 days after the last dose of vaccine.
• • Contraceptive requirements: Because the effects of EBV gH/gL/gp42-FNP and EBV gp350-ferritin vaccines on the developing human fetus are unknown, sexually active participants of childbearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraception as outlined below before study entry and until 60 days after the last dose of vaccine. Participants of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test before receiving each dose of the EBV gH/gL/gp42-FNP vaccine. During the course of the study, if a participant becomes pregnant or suspects they are pregnant, then they should inform the study staff and their primary care physician immediately.
• Acceptable forms of contraception are:
• • Intrauterine device (IUD) or equivalent.
• • Hormonal contraceptive (eg, consistent, timely, and continuous use of contraceptive pill, patch, ring, implant, or injection that has reached full efficacy prior to dosing). If the participant uses a contraceptive pill, patch, or ring, then a barrier method (eg, internal/external condom, cap, or diaphragm plus spermicide) must also be used at the time of potentially reproductive sexual activity.
• • A stable, long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who does not pose any potential pregnancy risk, eg, has undergone a vasectomy at least 6 months prior to the first dose of vaccine or is of the same sex as the participant.
• • A hysterectomy and/or a bilateral tubal ligation or bilateral oophorectomy.
• Acceptable forms of contraception for participants who can impregnate a partner include one of the following:
• • External condom plus spermicide, used during sexual intercourse, even if the partner uses a contraceptive pill, patch, or ring.
• • A vasectomy completed at least 6 months before the first dose of vaccine.
• • Continuously and completely abstaining from sexual intercourse with a partner of childbearing potential from the first dose of vaccine until 30 days after the last dose.
• Acceptable contraception for partners of childbearing potential of participants who can impregnate them include one of the following:
• • IUD or equivalent.
• • Hormonal contraceptive (eg, pill, patch, ring, implant, or an injection used consistently and that has reached full effect prior to the first dose of vaccine).
• • Hysterectomy and/or a bilateral tubal ligation or bilateral oophorectomy.
• Laboratory Criteria within 30 days or less prior to enrollment:
• • 1. Hemoglobin within institutional normal limits or if not, then assessed and deemed not clinically significant by PI or designee
• • 2. White blood cell count and differential either within institutional normal reference range or if not then assessed and deemed not clinically significant by PI or designee
• • 3. Total lymphocyte count (lymphocyte absolute) \> 800 cells/microL
• • 4. Platelet count equal to 125,000-500,000/microL
• • 5. Alanine aminotransferase \<1.25 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• • 6. Serum IgG \>600 mg/dL
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• • 1. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant while participating through 60 days after the last dose of vaccine.
• 2. Participant has received any of the following:
• • 1. More than 10 days of systemic immunosuppressive medications (\>=10 mg prednisone dose or its equivalent) or cytotoxic medication within the 30 days prior to first dose of vaccine or immunomodulating therapy within 180 days prior to first dose of vaccine.
• • 2. Blood products, including immunoglobulin products, within 120 days prior to first dose of vaccine.
• • 3. Investigational research agents within 30 days prior to first dose or planning to receive investigational products while on study.
• • 4. Allergy treatment with antigen injections, unless on a maintenance schedule of shots no more frequently than once per month.
• • 5. Prior participant in an EBV vaccine clinical trial.
• 3. Participant has any of the following:
• • 1. Febrile illness within 14 days of the first dose of vaccine.
• • 2. Body habitus such that it is difficult to confirm location of the deltoid muscle for safe intramuscular injection.
• • 3. History of serious reactions to vaccines.
• • 4. Hereditary, acquired, or idiopathic forms of angioedema.
• • 5. Idiopathic urticaria within the past year.
• • 6. Asthma that is not well-controlled or required emergent care, urgent care, hospitalization, or intubation during the past 2 years or that requires the use of oral or intravenous steroids.
• • 7. Diabetes mellitus type 1 or type 2, excluding a history of gestational diabetes.
• • 8. Clinically significant autoimmune disease or immunodeficiency.
• • 9. Hypertension that is not well-controlled.
• • 10. Thyroid disease that is not well-controlled.
• • 11. Bleeding disorder diagnosed by doctor (eg, factor deficiency, coagulopathy, or platelet disorder requiring special precautions).
• • 12. Significant bruising or bleeding difficulties with intramuscular injections or blood draws.
• • 13. Malignancy that is active or treated malignancy for which there is no reasonable assurance of sustained cure or malignancy that is likely to recur during the study period.
• • 14. Seizure disorder other than a history of 1) febrile seizures, 2) seizures secondary to alcohol withdrawal more than 3 years ago, or 3) seizures that have not required treatment within the past 3 years.
• • 15. Asplenia, functional asplenia, or any condition resulting in absence or removal of the spleen.
• • 16. History of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
• • 17. Alcohol or drug abuse or addiction.
• • 18. HIV infection.
• • 4. Any medical, psychiatric, or social condition that, in the judgement of the investigator, is a contraindication to protocol participation or impairs the participant s ability to give informed consent.