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MalariaPhase 1/2NCT03952650

Sanaria PfSPZ Challenge With Pyrimethamine or Chloroquine Chemoprophylaxis Vaccination (PfSPZ-CVac Approach): A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Phase I/II Trial to Determine Safety and Protective Efficacy Against Natural Plasmodium Falcipa...

A Phase 1/2 study testing Chloroquine Phosphate, PfSPZ Challenge and Pyrimethamine in people with Malaria, run by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at 1 site in Mali.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Background: Malaria remains a major global health problem. Malaria is spread by the bite of mosquitos. Africa is the region of the world where most people get malaria. Sanaria PfSPZ Challenge is a malaria vaccine. Researchers want to see if the vaccine combined with partner drugs can help protect against malaria. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 50 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Malaria
What is being tested?
Chloroquine Phosphate, PfSPZ Challenge and Pyrimethamine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
252 participants
Where
1 siteMali
Study dates
23 May 2019to 10 Feb 2021
Phase
Phase 1/2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 50 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age greater than or equal to 18 and less than or equal to 50 years (for booster phase, age greater than or equal to 18 and less than or equal to 52 years)
  • Resident of Bancoumana or nearby areas
  • In good general health and without clinically significant medical history
  • Malaria comprehension exam completed, passed (a score of greater than or equal to 80% or per investigator s discretion) and reviewed prior to enrollment
  • Able to provide proof of identity to the satisfaction of the study clinician completing the enrollment process
  • Willing to have blood samples stored for future research
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Available for the duration of the study
  • Females of childbearing potential must be willing to use reliable contraception (as defined below) from 21 days prior to first PfSPZ Challenge injection to 28 days following last PfSPZ Challenge exposure (or equivalent study day for Arm 5 controls). For the booster phase, this applies from 21 days prior to the booster vaccination to 28 days post booster vaccination.
  • Reliable methods of birth control include one of the following: confirmed pharmacologic contraceptives (parenteral) delivery; intrauterine or implantable device. OR
  • Reliable methods of birth control include concurrent use of a pharmacologic and a barrier method, i.e., two of the following: confirmed pharmacologic contraceptives (oral, transdermal) delivery or vaginal ring AND condoms with spermicide or diaphragm with spermicide. OR
  • Non-childbearing women will also be required to report date of last menstrual period, history of surgical sterility (i.e. tubal ligation, hysterectomy) or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and will have urine or serum pregnancy test performed per protocol.
  • For booster phase only: previously or currently enrolled in protocol #19-I-N099 and completed all three primary vaccinations.

Who cannot join

  • Pregnancy, as determined by a positive urine or serum human choriogonadotropin (beta-hCG) test (if female)
  • --NOTE: Pregnancy is also a criterion for discontinuation of any further dosing or non-safety related interventions for that subject.
  • Currently breast-feeding (if female)
  • Behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the investigator affects the ability of the participant to understand and comply with the study protocol
  • Hemoglobin, WBC, absolute neutrophils, and platelets outside the local laboratorydefined limits of normal (subjects may be included at the investigator s discretion for 'not clinically significant' values)
  • Alanine transaminase (ALT) or creatinine (Cr) level above the local laboratoryMali PfSPZ-CVac (pyrimethamine) defined upper limit of normal (subjects may be included at the investigator s discretion for not clinically significant values)
Show all 28Show fewer
  • Infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or hepatitis B (HBV) (For the booster phase: re-testing NOT required for enrollment unless clinically indicated)
  • Known or documented sickle cell disease by history (Note: known sickle cell trait is NOT exclusionary)
  • Clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) (For the booster phase: re-testing NOT required for enrollment unless clinically indicated)
  • Moderate or high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) based on NHANES I cardiovascular risk assessment
  • Evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, endocrine, rheumatologic, autoimmune, hematological, oncologic, or renal disease by history, physical examination, and/or laboratory studies including urinalysis
  • History of receiving any other investigational product within the past 30 days
  • Participation or planned participation in a clinical trial with an investigational product prior to completion of the last required protocol follow-up visit
  • Medical, occupational, or family problems as a result of alcohol or illicit drug use during the past 12 months.
  • History of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis
  • Severe asthma (defined as asthma that is unstable or required emergent care,urgent care, hospitalization, or intubation during the past 2 years, or that has required the use of oral or parenteral corticosteroids at any time during the past 2 years)
  • Pre-existing autoimmune or antibody-mediated diseases including but not limited to: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s syndrome, or autoimmune thrombocytopenia
  • Known immunodeficiency syndrome
  • Known asplenia or functional asplenia
  • Use of:
  • a. Chronic (greater than or equal to 14 days) oral or IV corticosteroids (excluding topical or nasal) at immunosuppressive doses (i.e., prednisone >10 mg/day) or immunosuppressive drugs within 30 days of vaccination
  • b. Antimalarials for example artemether, artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate, artesunate-amodiaquine, other than those prescribed by the investigator as part of the study procedures within 14 days prior to the first vaccine
  • c. Systemic antibiotics with known antimalarial activity such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin or azithromycin within 5 half-lives of the drug prior to the first vaccine
  • Receipt of a live vaccine within the past 4 weeks or a killed vaccine within the past 2 weeks prior to Vaccination #1 and every subsequent vaccination day
  • Receipt of immunoglobulins and/or blood products within the past 6 months
  • Previous receipt of an investigational anti-infectivity malaria vaccine in the last 2 years (this requirement is waived for the booster phase)
  • Known allergies or contraindication against: PYR, chloroquine, NSAIDs, artemether, lumefantrine
  • Other condition(s) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the safety or rights of a participant participating in the trial, interfere with the evaluation of the study objectives, or would render the subject unable to comply with the protocol.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Mali1 site

  • Malaria Vaccine Center STTB/MRTC

    Bamako

Other trials in Mali

About this study

Official title: Sanaria PfSPZ Challenge With Pyrimethamine or Chloroquine Chemoprophylaxis Vaccination (PfSPZ-CVac Approach): A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Phase I/II Trial to Determine Safety and Protective Efficacy Against Natural Plasmodium Falciparum Infection in Bancoumana and Surrounding Areas, Mali

Background:

Malaria remains a major global health problem. Malaria is spread by the bite of mosquitos. Africa is the region of the world where most people get malaria. Sanaria PfSPZ Challenge is a malaria vaccine. Researchers want to see if the vaccine combined with partner drugs can help protect against malaria.

Read more

Objective:

To test if injections with 3 monthly doses of Sanaria PfSPZ Challenge, combined with either pyrimethamine (PYR) or chloroquine as a partner drug, is safe, tolerable, and effective.

Eligibility:

Healthy people ages 18-50 years who live in Bancoumana, Mali, or nearby

Design:

Participants will be screened with the Malaria Comprehension Exam to check their understanding of the study. They will have a medical history. They will have a physical exam. They will have blood tests, urine tests, and heart tests.

Participants will join either the pilot study or the main study.

Participants will be assigned to groups. Depending on their group, they will get at least one injection of either a placebo or the vaccine. They may have up to 3 vaccines, 4 weeks apart. The injection will be into a vein with a needle.

Participants will also take pyrimethamine or chloroquine by mouth. They will also take standard doses of antimalarial drugs by mouth.

Participants will have blood tests throughout the study.

Participants may develop a rash or injection site reaction. If this happens, photos of the site may be taken.

Participants will be observed for infection for many days after the injections.

Read the detailed description

Human studies have shown that immunization by the bite of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoite (SPZ)-infected mosquitoes (chemoprophylaxis with sporozoites [CPS]) or by injecting aseptic, purified, cryopreserved sporozoites (SPZ) with needle and syringe (PfSPZ chemoprophylaxis vaccination, Sanaria PfSPZ-CVac) under drug coverage with chloroquine can provide >80% protection against homologous controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) (Roestenberg, McCall et al. 2009, Roestenberg, Teirlinck et al. 2011, Mordmuller, Surat et al. 2017). The protective immunity induced by CPS/PfSPZ-CVac is thought to target sporozoite and liver stage antigens, but the transient parasitemia observed under chloroquine prophylaxis may additionally induce immune responses targeting blood stage parasites that contribute to protection. It is important to understand the contribution of each stage in this model as transient parasitemia in the immunization process adds a safety concern and may impair the development of immunity.

We have conducted two phase 1 studies to explore whether significant protective efficacy can be achieved with exclusively pre-erythrocytic (sporozoite/liver stage) exposure in this model using PYR chemoprophylaxis. This drug, unlike chloroquine, kills the parasites in the liver, so there is no period of transient parasitemia following immunization. These studies in malaria na(SqrRoot) ve adults demonstrated that PfSPZ-CVac (with PYR administered 2 \& 3 days after injection) is safe, well-tolerated, and can prevent subpatent and patent parasitemia after PfSPZ injection. The NCT02511054 study used the same dose (5.12x104 PfSPZ) that has resulted in >80% protection in previous trials of PfSPZ-CVac (chloroquine), showed only 2/9 vaccinees were protected against a homologous (same strain of Pf as the vaccine) CHMI. In trials using irradiated SPZ, increasing the dose of PfSPZ used for immunization has resulted in higher protective efficacy. Therefore, in an ongoing trial, NCT03083847, we have increased the PfSPZ dose about 4-fold up to 2.0x105 PfSPZ, with preliminary results show markedly improved protection against both homologous and heterologous CHMI in healthy US adults (7/8 and 4/4 study subjects uninfected, respectively). This is the first demonstration that the PfSPZ-CVac approach can confer sterile protection without blood stage exposure.

Building on these promising results from PfSPZ-CVac (pyrimethamine) in the US, this proposed study in a malaria-endemic, adult population in Bancoumana, Mali will initially assess, in a pilot phase, the safety and tolerability of still higher doses of PfSPZ Challenge (4.0x105 PfSPZ) in combination with PYR (day 0;) or chloroquine (days -2, +5). The higher PfSPZ dose is hypothesized to be necessary to achieve significant efficacy against naturally transmitted malaria in malaria-experienced populations. Once this higher dose of PfSPZ is determined to be safe and tolerable and that earlier PYR dosing prevents patent parasitemia, the main phase will explore the effect of both earlier PYR dosing and a higher dosage of PfSPZ used for immunization in the development of protective immunity against natural malaria infection. The results of this study will contribute to understanding the targets and mechanisms of immunity against Pf malaria infection, and how the degree of prior exposure to the parasite (pre-erythrocytic and/or erythrocytic stages) impacts these responses and subsequent protective efficacy in field settings.

After completion of follow up in the main phase, all participants that are still enrolled in the study will be offered a booster dose of the vaccine (4th dose) with a single dose of 4x10^5 PfSPZ Challenge or normal saline (aligned with what they received in the main phase of the study) at approximately 11 months post 3rd vaccination. The booster dose is timed to allow administration well before the beginning of the ensuing malaria transmission season. Participants will then be followed for approximately 6 months to assess safety and vaccine efficacy through this second transmission season.

Conditions
Malaria
Being tested
Chloroquine Phosphate, PfSPZ Challenge, Pyrimethamine, Coartem, ibuprofen
Keywords
Field, Immunity, Chemoprophylaxis with Sporozoites, Vaccine, Malaria-Experienced
Medical subject headings
Malaria

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Chloroquine PhosphateDrug

    Chloroquine phosphate is approved for suppressive treatment (prophylaxis) and for acute attacks of malaria due to P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and susceptible strains of Pf. Chloroquine is a blood-stage schizonticide, highly active against replicating forms of blood-stage drug- sensitive parasites. As such, it is routinely employed as first-line prophylaxis against development of patent parasitemia and clinical malaria in non-immune travelers to areas with chloroquine sensitive Pf. In the pilot, chloroquine administration will begin with a loading dose 2 days prior to PfSPZ Challenge and finishing with a maintenance dose 5 days after PfSPZ Challenge. In the main phase, chloroquine will be first administered as a loading dose 2 days prior to PfSPZ Challenge and continuing weekly using a maintenance dose for a total of 10 doses, finishing with a last dose 5 days after the third injection with PfSPZ Challenge.

  • PfSPZ ChallengeBiological

    PfSPZ Challenge (NF54) acts as the immunogen in the PfSPZ-CVac approach to vaccinating against malaria. Participants will receive either one (in the pilot phase) or 3 (in the main phase) 400,000 or 300,000 aseptic, purified, cryopreserved, fully infectious PfSPZ injections by DVI (with concurrent administration of antimalarial drugs). Following immunization, participants in the main phase will be followed through the transmission season in order to assess vaccine efficacy.

  • PyrimethamineDrug

    Pyrimethamine has been FDA approved for acute treatment and chemoprophylaxis of malaria due to susceptible strains of plasmodia.

    Pyrimethamine has been shown to possess both liver and blood stage activity. In this study, we plan to use a higher dose of pyrimethamine, 75 mg orally for either one or two days each month. The pilot arms will receive either a total of 1 daily dose or 2 daily doses. The main arms will receive a total of 3 daily doses or a total of 6 doses.

  • CoartemDrug

    Antimalarial (Coartem ) will be administered to all participants twice during the study, approximately 2 weeks prior to the first vaccination in order to clear pre-existing parasitemia that may interfere with immunity development. The second dose will be given approximately 2 weeks prior to the 3rd vaccination in order to clear any parasitemia infection that may have happened naturally during the vaccination period and prior to the follow up period.

  • ibuprofenDrug

    Ibuprofen likewise is not a part of the investigational product/regimen, but will be provided to participants in the chloroquine arm (Arm 4) if required to mitigate typical symptoms of malaria infection such as headache, myalgia, fever and chills.

Study groups in NCT03952650
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
1aExperimentalReceiving 400,000 PfSPZ with 75 mg pyrimethamine day 0 post PfSPZ
Receives: Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
1bExperimentalReceiving 400,000 PfSPZ with 75 mg pyrimethamine day 0 post PfSPZ
Receives: Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
2aExperimentalReceiving 400,000 PfSPZ with 75 mg pyrimethamine days 2\&3 post PfSPZ
Receives: Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
2bExperimentalReceiving 400,000 PfSPZ with 75 mg pyrimethamine days 2\&3 post PfSPZ
Receives: Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
3aExperimentalReceiving 400,000 PfSPZ with chloroquine 2 days prior + 5 days post PfSPZibuprofen (if necessary)
Receives: Drug: Chloroquine Phosphate; Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Coartem; Drug: ibuprofen
3bExperimentalReceiving 400,000 PfSPZ with weekly chloroquineibuprofen (if necessary)
Receives: Drug: Chloroquine Phosphate; Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Coartem; Drug: ibuprofen
4aPlacebo comparatorReceiving normal saline with 75 mg pyrimethamine day 0 post injection
Receives: Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
4bPlacebo comparatorReceiving normal saline with 75 mg pyrimethamine days 2\&3 post injection
Receives: Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
4cPlacebo comparatorReceiving normal saline with weekly chloroquineibuprofen (if necessary)
Receives: Drug: Chloroquine Phosphate; Drug: Coartem; Drug: ibuprofen
5aExperimentalReceiving 300,000 PfSPZ with 75 mg pyrimethamine day 0 post PfSPZ (if necessary)
Receives: Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
5bExperimentalReceiving 300,000 PfSPZ with 75 mg pyrimethamine day 0 post PfSPZ
Receives: Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
6aExperimentalReceiving 300,000 PfSPZ with 75 mg pyrimethamine days 2\&3 post PfSPZ (if necessary)
Receives: Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem
6bExperimentalReceiving 300,000 PfSPZ with 75 mg pyrimethamine days 2\&3 post PfSPZ (if necessary)
Receives: Biological: PfSPZ Challenge; Drug: Pyrimethamine; Drug: Coartem

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Number of Participants With Positive Sensitive Blood Smear (sBS)

    Count of participants with positive sensitive blood smear (sBS) occurring after PfSPZ-CVac immunization starting on day 7 post DVI. Only pilot phase arms (Arms 1a, 2a) were analyzed for this outcome measure. Arms 5a and 6a were not performed, as no patent parasitemia was observed in either Arms 1a or 2a, per the protocol.

    Measured: 7 -12 days post-inoculation

  2. Number of Participants With Local and Systemic Grade 3 Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

    Count of participants with local and systemic grade 3 signs or symptoms lasting more than 48 hours despite adequate management and serious adverse events (SAEs) occurring after PfSPZ-CVac DVI. Only arm 3a was analyzed for this outcome measure, per the protocol objectives.

    Measured: From day of inoculation to 14 days post-inoculation

  3. Number of Participants With Local and Systemic Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

    Count of participants with local and systemic adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) occurring after PfSPZ-CVac immunization. This outcome measure applies to main phase arms 1b, 2b, 4a, and 4b. Arms 5b and 6b were not performed as patent parasitemia with the higher dose of PfSPZ was not observed in the pilot phase (Arms 1a, 2a).

    Measured: For the main phase: from the day of inoculation to approximately 6 months post-3rd inoculation. For the booster phase: from the time of inoculation to approximately 6 months post-booster inoculation

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 May 2019
  2. Study start23 May 2019
  3. Primary completion10 Feb 2021
  4. Study completion10 Feb 2021

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1/2
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
252 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03952650
Sponsor's protocol ID
999919099
Other IDs
19-I-N099
Status last verified
Jul 2021
First submitted
15 May 2019
Last updated
12 Jul 2022
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Bijker EM, Borrmann S, Kappe SH, Mordmuller B, Sack BK, Khan SM. Novel approaches to whole sporozoite vaccination against malaria. Vaccine. 2015 Dec 22;33(52):7462-8. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.09.095. Epub 2015 Oct 23.

    PubMed 26469716

  • Mordmuller B, Surat G, Lagler H, Chakravarty S, Ishizuka AS, Lalremruata A, Gmeiner M, Campo JJ, Esen M, Ruben AJ, Held J, Calle CL, Mengue JB, Gebru T, Ibanez J, Sulyok M, James ER, Billingsley PF, Natasha KC, Manoj A, Murshedkar T, Gunasekera A, Eappen AG, Li T, Stafford RE, Li M, Felgner PL, Seder RA, Richie TL, Sim BK, Hoffman SL, Kremsner PG. Sterile protection against human malaria by chemoattenuated PfSPZ vaccine. Nature. 2017 Feb 23;542(7642):445-449. doi: 10.1038/nature21060. Epub 2017 Feb 15.

    PubMed 28199305

  • Roestenberg M, McCall M, Hopman J, Wiersma J, Luty AJ, van Gemert GJ, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, van Schaijk B, Teelen K, Arens T, Spaarman L, de Mast Q, Roeffen W, Snounou G, Renia L, van der Ven A, Hermsen CC, Sauerwein R. Protection against a malaria challenge by sporozoite inoculation. N Engl J Med. 2009 Jul 30;361(5):468-77. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0805832.

    PubMed 19641203

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1/2 study testing Chloroquine Phosphate, PfSPZ Challenge and Pyrimethamine in people with Malaria, run by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at 1 site in Mali.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 12 inclusion and 28 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jul 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Mali. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this combined phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 12 Jul 2022). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Number of Participants With Positive Sensitive Blood Smear (sBS) (time frame: 7 -12 days post-inoculation). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03952650, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Jul 2022.

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