Biological Efficacy Study of HerpV Vaccine With QS-21 to Treat Participants With Recurrent Genital Herpes

Agenus

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Herpes Simplex Type 2

Treatments: Drug: HerpV and QS-21; Drug: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Industry

Identifiers

NCT01687595

C-400-02

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of recombinant human heat shock protein 70-polyvalent peptide complex (HerpV) vaccine administration on recurring episodes of genital herpes by evaluating viral shedding before and after treatment.

Full description

This study will evaluate the biological effectiveness and safety of the HerpV vaccine in combination with adjuvant QS-21. The Safety and tolerability of HerpV plus QS-21 will also be evaluated by collecting number and severity of adverse events throughout the study.

Participants will undergo a baseline/ screening period. This is a 45 day period when the participant collects a swab of the genital area each day. In case of a recurrence, participant will be required to collect two swabs a day. If the participant collects at least 80% of the swabbing samples and meets all eligibility criteria they may enroll in the study.

Study Period 1 consists of three treatments and a 45 day swabbing period after the last treatment. The participant will collect swabs of the genital region each day for 45 days.

Participants who successfully complete Study Period 1 will proceed to Study Period 2. They will receive a booster injection of study drug or placebo according to their original randomization assignment. The participants will again enter a 45 day swabbing period, collecting swabs of the genital area each day for 45 days.

Enrollment: 80 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Seropositive for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)
• Clinically active genital herpes defined as a history of 1-9 episodes per year for at least 1 year prior to screening or 1 year prior to beginning suppressive therapy.
• Willing to either use an effective method of contraception or abstain from sexual intercourse throughout the 48-week study period.
• If female of childbearing potential, have a negative serum pregnancy test.
• Agree to not receive any other investigational drugs while enrolled in this study.
• The above criteria must be met before participants are allowed to enter the 45-day swabbing period to be screen for the study.
• Completion and collection of greater than or equal to 80% (36 days) of the 45-day consecutive daily genital swabs.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe active infection, compromised cardiopulmonary function, or other serious medical illness that, in the opinion of the principal investigator, would prevent study completion.
• A history of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the eye (herpes simplex interstitial keratitis or uveitis), or herpes-associated erythema multiforme.
• A history of immune suppression or autoimmune disorder.
• Continued use of suppressive anti-viral therapy for HSV-2; a 1 week washout of any anti-viral therapy (suppressive and episodic) is required prior to initiating the swabbing period.
• Concomitant use of systemic corticosteroids or immune-suppressive medications. The use of nasal steroids is acceptable.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.
• Presence of active Hepatitis B or C infection.
• Known hypersensitivity or allergies to acyclovir or valacyclovir.
• Pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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80 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

HerpV 240 μg + QS-21 50 μg

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive a combination of HerpV 240 micrograms (μg) and QS-21 50 μg injection subcutaneously at Weeks 0, 2 and 4 in treatment period 1. At Week 24, participants who completed treatment period 1 will receive a booster dose of combination of HerpV 240 μg and QS-21 50 μg in treatment period 2. Each treatment period will be followed by a washout period of 1 week.

Treatment:

Drug: HerpV and QS-21

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive a placebo injection subcutaneously at Weeks 0, 2 and 4 in treatment period 1 and at Week 24 in treatment period 2. Each treatment period will be followed by a washout period of 1 week.

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo