Adjuvants and inactivated polio vaccine: a systematic review

Pharmacovigilance in Vaccines: Importance, Main Aspects, Perspectives, and Challenges-A Narrative Review

Pharmacovigilance plays a central role in safeguarding public health by continuously monitoring the safety of vaccines, being critical in a climate of vaccine hesitancy, where public trust is paramount. Pharmacovigilance strategies employed to gather information on adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) include pre-registration data, media reports, clinical trials, and societal reporting. Early detection of AEFIs during clinical trials is crucial for thorough safety analysis and preventing serious reactions once vaccines are deployed. This review highlights the importance of societal reporting, encompassing contributions from community members, healthcare workers, and pharmaceutical companies. Technological advancements such as quick response (QR) codes can facilitate prompt AEFI reporting. While vaccines are demonstrably safe, the possibility of adverse events necessitates continuous post-marketing surveillance. However, underreporting remains a challenge, underscoring the critical role of public engagement in pharmacovigilance. This narrative review comprehensively examines and synthesizes key aspects of virus vaccine pharmacovigilance, with special considerations for specific population groups. We explore applicable legislation, the spectrum of AEFIs associated with major vaccines, and the unique challenges and perspectives surrounding pharmacovigilance in this domain.

Intratumor childhood vaccine-specific CD4+ T-cell recall coordinates antitumor CD8+ T cells and eosinophils

BACKGROUND

Antitumor mechanisms of CD4⁺ T cells remain crudely defined, and means to effectively harness CD4⁺ T-cell help for cancer immunotherapy are lacking. Pre-existing memory CD4⁺ T cells hold potential to be leveraged for this purpose. Moreover, the role of pre-existing immunity in virotherapy, particularly recombinant poliovirus immunotherapy where childhood polio vaccine specific immunity is ubiquitous, remains unclear. Here we tested the hypothesis that childhood vaccine-specific memory T cells mediate antitumor immunotherapy and contribute to the antitumor efficacy of polio virotherapy.

METHODS

The impact of polio immunization on polio virotherapy, and the antitumor effects of polio and tetanus recall were tested in syngeneic murine melanoma and breast cancer models. CD8⁺ T-cell and B-cell knockout, CD4⁺ T-cell depletion, CD4⁺ T-cell adoptive transfer, CD40L blockade, assessments of antitumor T-cell immunity, and eosinophil depletion defined antitumor mechanisms of recall antigens. Pan-cancer transcriptome data sets and polio virotherapy clinical trial correlates were used to assess the relevance of these findings in humans.

RESULTS

Prior vaccination against poliovirus substantially bolstered the antitumor efficacy of polio virotherapy in mice, and intratumor recall of poliovirus or tetanus immunity delayed tumor growth. Intratumor recall antigens augmented antitumor T-cell function, caused marked tumor infiltration of type 2 innate lymphoid cells and eosinophils, and decreased proportions of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Antitumor effects of recall antigens were mediated by CD4⁺ T cells, limited by B cells, independent of CD40L, and dependent on eosinophils and CD8⁺ T cells. An inverse relationship between eosinophil and Treg signatures was observed across The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer types, and eosinophil depletion prevented Treg reductions after polio recall. Pretreatment polio neutralizing antibody titers were higher in patients living longer, and eosinophil levels increased in the majority of patients, after polio virotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Pre-existing anti-polio immunity contributes to the antitumor efficacy of polio virotherapy. This work defines cancer immunotherapy potential of childhood vaccines, reveals their utility to engage CD4⁺ T-cell help for antitumor CD8⁺ T cells, and implicates eosinophils as antitumor effectors of CD4⁺ T cells.

The Integrated Consideration of Vaccine Platforms, Adjuvants, and Delivery Routes for Successful Vaccine Development

Vaccines have proven to be the most cost-efficient and reasonable way to fight and exterminate virulent pathogens. Vaccines can be designed using a variety of platforms including inactivated/attenuated pathogen or subunits of it. The most recent COVID mRNA vaccines have employed nucleic acid sequences for the antigen of interest to combat the pandemic. Different vaccine platforms have been chosen for different licensed vaccines which all have shown their ability to induce durable immune responses and protection. In addition to platforms, different adjuvants have been used to strengthen the immunogenicity of vaccines. Among the delivery routes, intramuscular injection has been the most common for vaccination. In this review, we present a historical overview of the integrated consideration of vaccine platforms, adjuvants, and delivery routes in the success of vaccine development. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of each choice in the efficacy of vaccine development.

Cationic Nanoparticle-Stabilized Vaccine Delivery System for the H9N2 Vaccine to Promote Immune Response in Chickens

Chinese yam polysaccharides (CYPs) have received wide attention for their immunomodulatory activity. Our previous studies had discovered that the Chinese yam polysaccharide PLGA-stabilized Pickering emulsion (CYP-PPAS) can serve as an efficient adjuvant to trigger powerful humoral and cellular immunity. Recently, positively charged nano-adjuvants are easily taken up by antigen-presenting cells, potentially resulting in lysosomal escape, the promotion of antigen cross-presentation, and the induction of CD8 T-cell response. However, reports on the practical application of cationic Pickering emulsions as adjuvants are very limited. Considering the economic damage and public-health risks caused by the H9N2 influenza virus, it is urgent to develop an effective adjuvant for boosting humoral and cellular immunity against influenza virus infection. Here, we applied polyethyleneimine-modified Chinese yam polysaccharide PLGA nanoparticles as particle stabilizers and squalene as the oil core to fabricate a positively charged nanoparticle-stabilized Pickering emulsion adjuvant system (PEI-CYP-PPAS). The cationic Pickering emulsion of PEI-CYP-PPAS was utilized as an adjuvant for the H9N2 Avian influenza vaccine, and the adjuvant activity was compared with the Pickering emulsion of CYP-PPAS and the commercial adjuvant (aluminum adjuvant). The PEI-CYP-PPAS, with a size of about 1164.66 nm and a ζ potential of 33.23 mV, could increase the H9N2 antigen loading efficiency by 83.99%. After vaccination with Pickering emulsions based on H9N2 vaccines, PEI-CYP-PPAS generated higher HI titers and stronger IgG antibodies than CYP-PPAS and Alum and increased the immune organ index of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius without immune organ injury. Moreover, treatment with PEI-CYP-PPAS/H9N2 induced CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell activation, a high lymphocyte proliferation index, and increased cytokine expression of IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ. Thus, compared with the CYP-PPAS and aluminum adjuvant, the cationic nanoparticle-stabilized vaccine delivery system of PEI-CYP-PPAS was an effective adjuvant for H9N2 vaccination to elicit powerful humoral and cellular immune responses.

Current and next-generation formulation strategies for inactivated polio vaccines to lower costs, increase coverage, and facilitate polio eradication

Implementation of inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) containing Sabin strains (sIPV) will further enable global polio eradication efforts by improving vaccine safety during use and containment during manufacturing. Moreover, sIPV-containing vaccines will lower costs and expand production capacity to facilitate more widespread use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This review focuses on the role of vaccine formulation in these efforts including traditional Salk IPV vaccines and new sIPV-containing dosage forms. The physicochemical properties and stability profiles of poliovirus antigens are described. Formulation approaches to lower costs include developing multidose and combination vaccine formats as well as improving storage stability. Formulation strategies for dose-sparing and enhanced mucosal immunity include employing adjuvants (e.g. aluminum-salt and newer adjuvants) and/or novel delivery systems (e.g. ID administration with microneedle patches). The potential for applying these low-cost formulation development strategies to other vaccines to further improve vaccine access and coverage in LMICs is also discussed.

Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity in Q Fever Vaccine Development

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium which, in humans, causes the disease Q fever. Although Q fever is most often a mild, self-limiting respiratory disease, it can cause a range of severe syndromes including hepatitis, myocarditis, spontaneous abortion, chronic valvular endocarditis, and Q fever fatigue syndrome. This agent is endemic worldwide, except for New Zealand and Antarctica, transmitted via aerosols, persists in the environment for long periods, and is maintained through persistent infections in domestic livestock. Because of this, elimination of this bacterium is extremely challenging and vaccination is considered the best strategy for prevention of infection in humans. Many vaccines against C. burnetii have been developed, however, only a formalin-inactivated, whole cell vaccine derived from virulent C. burnetii is currently licensed for use in humans. Unfortunately, widespread use of this whole cell vaccine is impaired due to the severity of reactogenic responses associated with it. This reactogenicity continues to be a major barrier to access to preventative vaccines against C. burnetii and the pathogenesis of this remains only partially understood. This review provides an overview of past and current research on C. burnetii vaccines, our knowledge of immunogenicity and reactogenicity in C. burnetii vaccines, and future strategies to improve the safety of vaccines against C. burnetii.

Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle-based vaccines delivery systems as a novel adjuvant for H9N2 antigen enhance immune responses

Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle used as vaccine adjuvants have been widely investigated due to their safety, antigen slow-release ability, and good adjuvants activity. In this study, immunopotentiator Alhagi honey polysaccharide encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles (AHPP) and assembled pickering emulsion with AHPP as shell and squalene as core (PPAS) were prepared. Characterization of AHPP and PPAS were investigated. H9N2 absorbed nanoparticles formulations were immunized to chicken, then the magnitude and kinetics of antibody and cellular immune responses were assessed. Our results showed that PPAS had rough strawberry-like surfaces, a large number of antigens could be absorbed on their surfaces through simple mixing. Adjuvant activity of PPAS showed that, PPAS/H9N2 can induce long-lasting and high HI titers, high thymus, spleen, and bursa of fabricius organ index. Moreover, chicken immunized with PPAS/H9N2 showed a mixed high differentiation of CD4⁺ and CD8a⁺ T cell, and strong Th1 and Th2-type cytokines mRNA expression. Thus, these findings demonstrated that PPAS could induce a strong and long-term cellular and humoral immune response, and has the potential to serve as an effective vaccine delivery adjuvant system for H9N2 antigen.

DNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2: toward third-generation vaccination era

Introduction: Coronavirus outbreak 2019 (COVID-19) has affected all the corners of the globe and created chaos to human life. In order to put some control on the pandemic, vaccines are urgently required that are safe, cost effective, easy to produce, and most importantly induce appropriate immune responses and protection against viral infection. DNA vaccines possess all these features and are promising candidates for providing protection against SARS-CoV-2.Area covered: Current understanding and advances in DNA vaccines toward COVID-19, especially those under various stages of clinical trials.Expert opinion: Through DNA vaccines, host cells are momentarily transformed into factories that produce proteins of the SARS-CoV-2. The host immune system detects these proteins to develop antibodies that neutralize and prevent the infection. This vaccine platform has additional benefits compared to traditional vaccination strategies like strong cellular immune response, higher safety margin, a simple production process as per cGMP norms, lack of any infectious agent, and a robust platform for large-scale production.

Adjuvant Selection for Influenza and RSV Prefusion Subunit Vaccines

Subunit vaccines exhibit favorable safety and immunogenicity profiles and can be designed to mimic native antigen structures. However, pairing with an appropriate adjuvant is imperative in order to elicit effective humoral and cellular immune responses. In this study, we aimed to determine an optimal adjuvant pairing with the prefusion form of influenza haemagglutinin (HA) or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) subunit vaccines in BALB/c mice in order to inform future subunit vaccine adjuvant selection. We tested a panel of adjuvants, including aluminum hydroxide (alhydrogel), QS21, Addavax, Addavax with QS21 (AdQS21), and Army Liposome Formulation 55 with monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21 (ALF55). We found that all adjuvants elicited robust humoral responses in comparison to placebo, with the induction of potent neutralizing antibodies observed in all adjuvanted groups against influenza and in AdQS21, alhydrogel, and ALF55 against RSV. Upon HA vaccination, we observed that none of the adjuvants were able to significantly increase the frequency of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ IFN-γ⁺ cells when compared to unadjuvanted antigen. The varying responses to antigens with each adjuvant highlights that those adjuvants most suited for pairing purposes can vary depending on the antigen used and/or the desired immune response. We therefore suggest that an adjuvant trial for different subunit vaccines in development would likely be necessary in preclinical studies.

Immunogenicity and safety of an adjuvanted inactivated polio vaccine, IPV-Al, following vaccination in children at 2, 4, 6 and at 15-18 months

BACKGROUND

Availability of affordable inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) is of major importance to meet the increasing global supply needs. The results presented here demonstrate non-inferiority of a reduced-dose, aluminium hydroxide-adjuvanted IPV (IPV-Al) to standard IPV.

METHODS

A phase 3, observer-blinded, randomised, clinical trial was conducted in Panama in infants who received either IPV-Al (n = 400) or standard IPV (n = 400) at age 2, 4 and 6 months. In the booster trial, subjects received a single dose of IPV-Al at age 15-18 months. The primary endpoint was type-specific seroconversion, defined as an antibody titre ≥4-fold higher than the estimated maternal antibody titre and a titre ≥8, one month after the primary vaccination series. In the booster trial, the primary endpoint was the type-specific booster effects (geometric mean titre (GMT) post-booster (Day 28)/GMT pre-booster (Day 0).

RESULTS

Seroconversion rates following primary vaccination with IPV-Al vs IPV were: 96.1% vs 100% (type 1); 100% vs 100% (type 2); and 99.2% vs 100% (type 3) respectively. IPV-Al was non-inferior to IPV, as the lower 95% confidence limits of the treatment differences were above the pre-defined -10%-point limit: 3.94% (-6.51; -2.01) for type 1; 0.0% (-1.30; -1.37) for type 2; -0.85 (-2.46; 0.40) for type 3. The booster effects for the group primed with IPV-Al versus the group primed with IPV were 25.3 vs 9.2 (type 1), 19.1 vs 6.5 (type 2) and 50.4 vs 12.5 (type 3). IPV-Al had a comparable safety profile to that of IPV.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-inferiority of IPV-Al to standard IPV with respect to seroconversion after vaccination at 2, 4 and 6 months was confirmed for all three poliovirus serotypes. A robust booster response was demonstrated following vaccination with IPV-Al, regardless of the primary vaccine received. Both vaccines were well tolerated. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT03025750 and NCT03671616.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Immunogenicity and safety of an adjuvanted inactivated polio vaccine, IPV-Al, compared to standard IPV: A phase 3 observer-blinded, randomised, controlled trial in infants vaccinated at 6, 10, 14 weeks and 9 months of age

Background

A dose-sparing inactivated polio vaccine (IPV-Al), obtained by adsorption of inactivated virus to an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant, can help mitigate global supply and the cost constraints of IPV. The objective of this trial was to demonstrate the non-inferiority of IPV-Al to standard IPV.

Methods

This phase 3, observer-blinded, randomised, controlled trial was conducted at 5 investigational sites in the Philippines. Infants not previously vaccinated with any polio vaccines were randomised to receive three IPV-Al (n = 502) or IPV vaccinations (n = 500) at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age plus a booster vaccination at 9 months. The primary endpoint was type-specific seroconversion, defined as an antibody titre ≥4-fold higher than the estimated maternal antibody titre and a titre ≥8, one month after the primary vaccination series.

Results

Seroconversion rates following primary vaccination with IPV-Al (483 infants in the per-protocol analysis set) or IPV (478 infants) were: polio type 1, 97.1% versus 99.0%; type 2, 94.2% versus 99.0%; and type 3, 98.3% versus 99.6%. IPV-Al was non-inferior to IPV, as the lower 95% confidence limits of the treatment differences were above the predefined −10%-point limit: type 1, −1.85% (−3.85; −0.05); type 2, −4.75% (−7.28; −2.52); type 3, −1.24 (−2.84; 0.13). The booster effect (geometric mean titre (GMT) post-booster / GMT pre-booster) was: type 1, 63 versus 43; type 2, 54 versus 47; type 3, 112 versus 80. IPV-Al was well tolerated with a safety profile comparable to that of IPV. Serious adverse events were recorded for 29 infants (5.8%, 37 events) in the IPV-Al group compared to 28 (5.6%, 48 events) in the IPV group.

Conclusion

Non-inferiority of IPV-Al to IPV with respect to seroconversion was confirmed and a robust booster response was demonstrated. Both vaccines had a similar safety profile.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03032419.

Sequential inactivated (IPV) and live oral (OPV) poliovirus vaccines for preventing poliomyelitis

BACKGROUND

Poliomyelitis mainly affects unvaccinated children under five years of age, causing irreversible paralysis or even death. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) contains live attenuated virus, which can, in rare cases, cause a paralysis known as vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP), and also vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) due to acquired neurovirulence after prolonged duration of replication. The incidence of poliomyelitis caused by wild polio virus (WPV) has declined dramatically since the introduction of OPV and later the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), however, the cases of paralysis linked to the OPV are currently more frequent than those related to the WPV. Therefore, in 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended at least one IPV dose preceding routine immunisation with OPV to reduce VAPPs and VDPVs until polio could be eradicated.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness, safety, and immunogenicity of sequential IPV-OPV immunisation schemes compared to either OPV or IPV alone.

SEARCH METHODS

In May 2019 we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, 14 other databases, three trials registers and reports of adverse effects on four web sites. We also searched the references of identified studies, relevant reviews and contacted authors to identify additional references.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, controlled before-after studies, nationwide uncontrolled before-after studies (UBAs), interrupted time series (ITS) and controlled ITS comparing sequential IPV-OPV schedules (one or more IPV doses followed by one or more OPV doses) with IPV alone, OPV alone or non-sequential IPV-OPV combinations.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 21 studies: 16 RCTs involving 6407 healthy infants (age range 96 to 975 days, mean 382 days), one ITS with 28,330 infants and four nationwide studies (two ITS, two UBA). Ten RCTs were conducted in high-income countries; five in the USA, two in the UK, and one each in Chile, Israel, and Oman. The remaining six RCTs were conducted in middle-income countries; China, Bangladesh, Guatemala, India, and Thailand. We rated all included RCTs at low or unclear risk of bias for randomisation domains, most at high or unclear risk of attrition bias, and half at high or unclear risk for conflict of interests. Almost all RCTs were at low risk for the remaining domains. ITSs and UBAs were mainly considered at low risk of bias for most domains. IPV-OPV versus OPV It is uncertain if an IPV followed by OPV schedule is better than OPV alone at reducing the number of WPV cases (very low-certainty evidence); however, it may reduce VAPP cases by 54% to 100% (three nationwide studies; low-certainty evidence). There is little or no difference in vaccination coverage between IPV-OPV and OPV-only schedules (risk ratio (RR) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96 to 1.06; 1 ITS study; low-certainty evidence). Similarly, there is little or no difference between the two schedule types for the number of serious adverse events (SAEs) (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.70; 4 studies, 1948 participants; low-certainty evidence); or the number of people with protective humoral response P1 (moderate-certainty evidence), P2 (for the most studied schedule; two IPV doses followed by OPV; low-certainty evidence), and P3 (low-certainty evidence). Two IPV doses followed by bivalent OPV (IIbO) may reduce P2 neutralising antibodies compared to trivalent OPV (moderate-certainty evidence), but may make little or no difference to P1 or P2 neutralising antibodies following an IIO schedule or OPV alone (low-certainty evidence). Both IIO and IIbO schedules may increase P3 neutralising antibodies compared to OPV (moderate-certainty evidence). It may also lead to lower mucosal immunity given increased faecal excretion of P1 (low-certainty evidence), P2 and P3 (moderate-certainty evidence) after OPV challenge. IPV-OPV versus IPV It is uncertain if IPV-OPV is more effective than IPV alone at reducing the number of WPV cases (very low-certainty evidence). There were no data regarding VAPP cases. There is no clear evidence of a difference between IPV-OPV and OPV schedules for the number of people with protective humoral response (low- and moderate-certainty evidence). IPV-OPV schedules may increase mean titres of P1 neutralising antibodies compared to OPV alone (low- and moderate-certainty evidence), but the effect on P2 and P3 titres is not clear (very low- and moderate-certainty evidence). IPV-OPV probably reduces the number of people with P3 poliovirus faecal excretion after OPV challenge with IIO and IIOO sequences (moderate-certainty evidence), and may reduce the number with P2 (low-certainty evidence), but not with P1 (very low-certainty evidence). There may be little or no difference between the schedules in number of SAEs (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.43; 2 studies, 1063 participants, low-certainty evidence). The number of persons with P2 protective humoral immunity and P2 neutralising antibodies are probably lower with most sequential schemes without P2 components (i.e. bOPV) than with trivalent OPV or IVP alone (moderate-certainty evidence). IPV (3)-OPV versus IPV (2)-OPV One study (137 participants) showed no clear evidence of a difference between three IPV doses followed by OPV and two IPV doses followed by OPV, on the number of people with P1 (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.03), P2 (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.03), or P3 (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.05) protective humoral and intestinal immunity; all moderate-certainty evidence. This study did not report on any other outcomes.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

IPV-OPV compared to OPV may reduce VAPPs without affecting vaccination coverage, safety or humoral response, except P2 with sequential schemes without P2 components, but increase poliovirus faecal excretion after OPV challenge for some polio serotypes. Compared to IPV-only schedules, IPV-OPV may have little or no difference on SAEs, probably has little or no effect on persons with protective humoral response, may increase neutralising antibodies, and probably reduces faecal excretion after OPV challenge of certain polio serotypes. Using three IPV doses as part of a IPV-OPV schedule does not appear to be better than two IPV doses for protective humoral response. Sequential schedules during the transition from OPV to IPV-only immunisation schedules seems a reasonable option aligned with current WHO recommendations. Findings could help decision-makers to optimise polio vaccination policies, reducing inequities between countries.

Properties and applications of nanoparticle/microparticle conveyors with adjuvant characteristics suitable for oral vaccination

Vaccination is one of the most effective approaches in the prevention and control of disease worldwide. Oral vaccination could have wide applications if effective protection cannot be achieved through traditional (eg, parenteral) routes of vaccination. However, oral administration is hampered by the difficulties in transferring vaccines in vivo. This has led to the development of materials such as carriers with potential adjuvant effects. Considering the requirements for selecting adjuvants for oral vaccines as well as the advantages of nanoparticle/microparticle materials as immune effectors and antigen conveyors, synthetic materials could improve the efficiency of oral vaccination. In this review, nanoparticles and microparticles with adjuvant characteristics are described with regard to their potential importance for oral immunization, and some promising and successful modification strategies are summarized.

Live attenuated enterovirus vaccine (OPV) is not associated with islet autoimmunity in children with genetic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes: prospective cohort study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Animal and human studies have implied that enterovirus infections may modulate the risk of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. We set out to assess whether serial administration of live oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) in early life can influence the initiation of islet autoimmunity in a cohort of genetically predisposed children.

METHODS

OPV was administered to 64 children and a further 251 children received inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). The emergence of type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibodies in serum (autoantibodies to GAD, insulinoma-associated protein 2, insulin and islet cells) was monitored during prospective follow-up. Stool and serum samples were collected for enterovirus detection by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Administration of OPV increased enterovirus detected in stool samples from 11.3% to 38.9% (p < 0.001) during the first year of life. During the follow-up (median 11.0 years), at least one autoantibody was detected in 17.2% of children vaccinated with OPV and 19.1% with IPV (p = 0.723). At least two autoantibodies were observed in 3.1% and 6.8% of children, respectively (p = 0.384).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Replication of attenuated poliovirus strains in gut mucosa is not associated with an increased risk of islet autoimmunity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT02961595.

Immunogenicity and safety of three aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted vaccines with reduced doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV-Al) compared with standard IPV in young infants in the Dominican Republic: a phase 2, non-inferiority, observer-blinded, randomised, and controlled dose investigation trial

BACKGROUND

Cost and supply constraints are key challenges in the use of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Dose reduction through adsorption to aluminium hydroxide (Al) is a promising option, and establishing its effectiveness in the target population is a crucial milestone in developing IPV-Al. The aim of this clinical trial was to show the non-inferiority of three IPV-Al vaccines to standard IPV.

METHODS

In this phase 2, non-inferiority, observer-blinded, randomised, controlled, single-centre trial in the Dominican Republic, healthy infants aged 6 weeks, not previously polio vaccinated, were allocated after computer-generated randomisation by block-size of four, to receive one of four IPV formulations (three-times reduced dose [1/3 IPV-Al], five-times reduced dose [1/5 IPV-Al], ten-times reduced dose [1/10 IPV-Al], or IPV) intramuscularly in the thigh at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age. The primary outcome was seroconversion for poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 with titres more than or equal to four-fold higher than the estimated maternal antibody titre and more than or equal to 8 after three vaccinations. Non-inferiority was concluded if the lower two-sided 90% CI of the seroconversion rate difference between IPV-Al and IPV was greater than -10%. The safety analyses were based on the safety analysis set (randomly assigned participants who received at least one trial vaccination) and the immunogenicity analyses were based on the per-protocol population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov registration, number NCT02347423.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 2, 2015, and Sept 26, 2015, we recruited 824 infants. The per-protocol population included 820 infants; 205 were randomly assigned to receive 1/3 IPV-Al, 205 to receive 1/5 IPV-Al, 204 to receive 1/10 IPV-Al, and 206 to receive IPV. The proportion of individuals meeting the primary endpoint of seroconversion for poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 was already high for the three IPV-Al vaccines after two vaccinations, but was higher after three vaccinations (ie, after completion of the expanded programme of immunisation schedule): 1/3 IPV-Al 98·5% (n=202, type 1), 97·6% (n=200; type 2), and 99·5% (n=204, type 3); 1/5 IPV-Al: 99·5% (n=204, type 1), 96·1% (n=197, type 2), and 98·5% (n=202, type 3); and 1/10 IPV-Al: 98·5% (n=201, type 1), 94·6% (n=193, type 2), and 99·5% (n=203, type 3). All three IPV-Al were non-inferior to IPV, with absolute differences in percentage seroconversion for each poliovirus type being greater than -10% (1/3 IPV-Al type 1, -1·46 [-3·60 to 0·10], type 2, -0·98 [-3·62 to 1·49], and type 3, -0·49 [-2·16 to 0·86]; 1/5 IPV-Al type 1, -0·49 [-2·16 to 0·86], type 2, -2·45 [-5·47 to 0·27], and type 3, -1·46 [-3·60 to 0·10]; and 1/10 IPV-Al type 1, -1·47 [-3·62 to 0·10], type 2, -3·94 [-7·28 to -0·97], and type 3, -0·49 [-2·17 to 0·86]). Three serious adverse events occurred that were unrelated to the vaccine.

INTERPRETATION

The lowest dose (1/10 IPV-Al) of the vaccine performed well both after two and three doses. Based on these results, this new vaccine is under investigation in phase 3 trials.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Options for improving effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines in developing countries

Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a leading global cause of mortality and morbidity in young children due to diarrhea and dehydration. Over 85% of deaths occur in developing countries. In industrialised countries, 2 live oral rotavirus vaccines licensed in 2006 quickly demonstrated high effectiveness, dramatically reducing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis admissions in many settings by more than 90%. In contrast, the same vaccines reduced severe rotavirus gastroenteritis by only 30-60% in developing countries, but have been proven life-saving. Bridging this "efficacy gap" offers the possibility to save many more lives of children under the age of 5. The reduced efficacy of rotavirus vaccines in developing settings may be related to differences in transmission dynamics, as well as host luminal, mucosal and immune factors. This review will examine strategies currently under study to target the issue of reduced efficacy and effectiveness of oral rotavirus vaccines in developing settings.

Chemical Synthesis, Versatile Structures and Functions of Tailorable Adjuvants for Optimizing Oral Vaccination

Oral vaccines have become a recent focus because of their potential significance in disease prevention and therapy. In the development of oral vaccine-based therapeutics, synthetic materials with tailorable structures and versatile functions can act as antigen conveyers with adjuvant effects, reduce the time cost for vaccine optimization, and provide high security and enhanced immunity. This review presents an overview of the current status of tailoring synthetic adjuvants for oral vaccination, modification strategies for producing effectors with specific structures and functions, enhancement of immune-associated efficiencies, including the barrier-crossing capability to protect antigens in the gastrointestinal tract, coordination of the antigens penetrating mucosa and cell barriers, targeting of concentrated antigens to immune-associated cells, and direct stimulation of immune cells. Finally, we focus on prospective synthetic adjuvants that facilitate the use of oral vaccines via two approaches, namely, in vivo antigen expression and cancer immunotherapy.

Vaccine technologies: From whole organisms to rationally designed protein assemblies

Vaccines have been the single most significant advancement in public health, preventing morbidity and mortality in millions of people annually. Vaccine development has traditionally focused on whole organism vaccines, either live attenuated or inactivated vaccines. While successful for many different infectious diseases whole organisms are expensive to produce, require culture of the infectious agent, and have the potential to cause vaccine associated disease in hosts. With advancing technology and a desire to develop safe, cost effective vaccine candidates, the field began to focus on the development of recombinantly expressed antigens known as subunit vaccines. While more tolerable, subunit vaccines tend to be less immunogenic. Attempts have been made to increase immunogenicity with the addition of adjuvants, either immunostimulatory molecules or an antigen delivery system that increases immune responses to vaccines. An area of extreme interest has been the application of nanotechnology to vaccine development, which allows for antigens to be expressed on a particulate delivery system. One of the most exciting examples of nanovaccines are rationally designed protein nanoparticles. These nanoparticles use some of the basic tenants of structural biology, biophysical chemistry, and vaccinology to develop protective, safe, and easily manufactured vaccines. Rationally developed nanoparticle vaccines are one of the most promising candidates for the future of vaccine development.

Repeated fractional intradermal dosing of an inactivated polio vaccine by a single hollow microneedle leads to superior immune responses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various repeated fractional intradermal dosing schedules of inactivated polio vaccine serotype 1 (IPV1) on IPV1-specific IgG responses in rats. By utilizing an applicator that allowed for precisely controlled intradermal microinjections by using a single hollow microneedle, rats were immunized intradermally with 5 D-antigen units (DU) of IPV1 at 150μm skin depth. This dose was administered as a bolus, or in a repeated fractional dosing schedule: 4 doses of 1.25 DU (1/4th of total dose) were administered on four consecutive days or every other day; 8 doses of 0.625 DU (1/8th of total dose) were administered on eight consecutive days; or 4 exponentially increasing doses (0.04, 0.16, 0.8 and 4 DU), either with or without an exponentially increasing CpG oligodeoxynucleotide 1826 (CpG) dose, were administered on four consecutive days. All of these fractional dosing schedules resulted in up to ca. 10-fold higher IPV1-specific IgG responses than intradermal and intramuscular bolus dosing. IPV1 combined with adjuvant CpG in exponential dosing did not significantly increase the IPV1-specific IgG responses further, which demonstrated that maximal responses were achieved by fractional dosing. In conclusion, repeated fractional intradermal IPV1 dosing leads to superior IPV1-specific IgG responses without the use of adjuvants. These results indicate that a controlled release delivery system for intradermal IPV1 delivery can potentiate IPV1-specific IgG responses.

Determination of Depth-Dependent Intradermal Immunogenicity of Adjuvanted Inactivated Polio Vaccine Delivered by Microinjections via Hollow Microneedles

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the depth-dependent intradermal immunogenicity of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) delivered by depth-controlled microinjections via hollow microneedles (HMN) and to investigate antibody response enhancing effects of IPV immunization adjuvanted with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide 1826 (CpG) or cholera toxin (CT).

METHODS

A novel applicator for HMN was designed to permit depth- and volume-controlled microinjections. The applicator was used to immunize rats intradermally with monovalent IPV serotype 1 (IPV1) at injection depths ranging from 50 to 550 μm, or at 400 μm for CpG and CT adjuvanted immunization, which were compared to intramuscular immunization.

RESULTS

The applicator allowed accurate microinjections into rat skin at predetermined injection depths (50-900 μm), -volumes (1-100 μL) and -rates (up to 60 μL/min) with minimal volume loss (±1-2%). HMN-mediated intradermal immunization resulted in similar IgG and virus-neutralizing antibody titers as conventional intramuscular immunization. No differences in IgG titers were observed as function of injection depth, however IgG titers were significantly increased in the CpG and CT adjuvanted groups (7-fold).

CONCLUSION

Intradermal immunogenicity of IPV1 was not affected by injection depth. CpG and CT were potent adjuvants for both intradermal and intramuscular immunization, allowing effective vaccination upon a minimally-invasive single intradermal microinjection by HMN.

Protection against respiratory syncytial virus by inactivated influenza virus carrying a fusion protein neutralizing epitope in a chimeric hemagglutinin

A desirable vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should induce neutralizing antibodies without eliciting abnormal T cell responses to avoid vaccine-enhanced pathology. In an approach to deliver RSV neutralizing epitopes without RSV-specific T cell antigens, we genetically engineered chimeric influenza virus expressing RSV F262-276 neutralizing epitopes in the globular head domain as a chimeric hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Immunization of mice with formalin-inactivated recombinant chimeric influenza/RSV F262-276 was able to induce RSV protective neutralizing antibodies and lower lung viral loads after challenge. Formalin-inactivated RSV immune mice showed high levels of pulmonary inflammatory cytokines, macrophages, IL-4-producing T cells, and extensive histopathology. However, RSV-specific T cell responses and enhancement of pulmonary histopathology were not observed after RSV infection of inactivated chimeric influenza/RSV F262-276. This study provides evidence that an inactivated vaccine platform of chimeric influenza/RSV virus can be developed into a safe RSV vaccine candidate without priming RSV-specific T cells and immunopathology.

FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory tract illness and morbidity in children. Hence, there is a need to develop an effective vaccine against this virus. In this article, the authors engineered chimeric influenza virus to express RSV neutralizing epitopes. The positive findings in in-vivo experiments provide a beginning for future clinical trials and perhaps eventual product realization.

Chitosan-based mucosal adjuvants: Sunrise on the ocean

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Metabolism and safety profile of chitosan and its derivatives on mucosal application.

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Mechanisms of chitosan as potent mucosal adjuvant.

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Different types and forms of chitosan in pre-clinical applications.

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Clinical perspectives.

Mucosal vaccination, which is shown to elicit systemic and mucosal immune responses, serves as a non-invasive and convenient alternative to parenteral administration, with stronger capability in combatting diseases at the site of entry. The exploration of potent mucosal adjuvants is emerging as a significant area, based on the continued necessity to amplify the immune responses to a wide array of antigens that are poorly immunogenic at the mucosal sites. As one of the inspirations from the ocean, chitosan-based mucosal adjuvants have been developed with unique advantages, such as, ability of mucosal adhesion, distinct trait of opening the junctions to allow the paracellular transport of antigen, good tolerability and biocompatibility, which guaranteed the great potential in capitalizing on their application in human clinical trials. In this review, the state of art of chitosan and its derivatives as mucosal adjuvants, including thermo-sensitive chitosan system as mucosal adjuvant that were newly developed by author's group, was described, as well as the clinical application perspective. After a brief introduction of mucosal adjuvants, chitosan and its derivatives as robust immune potentiator were discussed in detail and depth, in regard to the metabolism, safety profile, mode of actions and preclinical and clinical applications, which may shed light on the massive clinical application of chitosan as mucosal adjuvant.

Polio vaccination: past, present and future

Live attenuated oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) are the tools being used to achieve eradication of wild polio virus. Because OPV can rarely cause paralysis and generate revertant polio strains, IPV will have to replace OPV after eradication of wild polio virus is certified to sustain eradication of all polioviruses. However, uncertainties remain related to IPV's ability to induce intestinal immunity in populations where fecal-oral transmission is predominant. Although substantial effectiveness and safety data exist on the use and delivery of OPV and IPV, several new research initiatives are currently underway to fill specific knowledge gaps to inform future vaccination policies that would assure polio is eradicated and eradication is maintained.

Advances in aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvant research and its mechanism

In the past few decades, hundreds of materials have been tried as adjuvant; however, only aluminum-based adjuvants continue to be used widely in the world. Aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate and alum constitute the main forms of aluminum used as adjuvants. Among these, aluminum hydroxide is the most commonly used chemical as adjuvant. In spite of its wide spread use, surprisingly, the mechanism of how aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvants exert their beneficial effects is still not fully understood. Current explanations for the mode of action of aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvants include, among others, the repository effect, pro-phagocytic effect, and activation of the pro-inflammatory NLRP3 pathway. These collectively galvanize innate as well as acquired immune responses and activate the complement system. Factors that have a profound influence on responses evoked by aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvant applications include adsorption rate, strength of the adsorption, size and uniformity of aluminum hydroxide particles, dosage of adjuvant, and the nature of antigens. Although vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvants are beneficial, sometimes they cause adverse reactions. Further, these vaccines cannot be stored frozen. Until recently, aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvants were known to preferentially prime Th2-type immune responses. However, results of more recent studies show that depending on the vaccination route, aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvants can enhance both Th1 as well as Th2 cellular responses. Advances in systems biology have opened up new avenues for studying mechanisms of aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvants. These will assist in scaling new frontiers in aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvant research that include improvement of formulations, use of nanoparticles of aluminum hydroxide and development of composite adjuvants.

Alternative inactivated poliovirus vaccines adjuvanted with Quillaja brasiliensis or Quil-a saponins are equally effective in inducing specific immune responses

Inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) have an important role at the final stages of poliomyelitis eradication programs, reducing the risks associated with the use of attenuated polio vaccine (OPV). An affordable option to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and reduce costs of IPV may be the use of an effective and renewable adjuvant. In the present study, the adjuvant activity of aqueous extract (AE) and saponin fraction QB-90 from Quillaja brasiliensis using poliovirus antigen as model were analyzed and compared to a preparation adjuvanted with Quil-A, a well-known saponin-based commercial adjuvant. Experimental vaccines were prepared with viral antigen plus saline (control), Quil-A (50 µg), AE (400 µg) or QB-90 (50 µg). Sera from inoculated mice were collected at days 0, 28, 42 and 56 post-inoculation of the first dose of vaccine. Serum levels of specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a were significantly enhanced by AE, QB-90 and Quil-A compared to control group on day 56. The magnitude of enhancement was statistically equivalent for QB-90 and Quil-A. The cellular response was evaluated through DTH and analysis of IFN-γ and IL-2 mRNA levels using in vitro reestimulated splenocytes. Results indicated that AE and QB-90 were capable of stimulating the generation of Th1 cells against the administered antigen to the same extent as Quil-A. Mucosal immune response was enhanced by the vaccine adjuvanted with QB-90 as demonstrated by increases of specific IgA titers in bile, feces and vaginal washings, yielding comparable or higher titers than Quil-A. The results obtained indicate that saponins from Q. brasiliensis are potent adjuvants of specific cellular and humoral immune responses and represent a viable option to Quil-A.

Inducing dose sparing with inactivated polio virus formulated in adjuvant CAF01

The development of new low cost inactivated polio virus based vaccines (IPV) is a high priority, and will be required to eradicate polio. In addition, such a vaccine constitutes the only realistic polio vaccine in the post-eradication era. One way to reduce the cost of a vaccine is to increase immunogenicity by use of adjuvants. The CAF01 adjuvant has previously been shown to be a safe and potent adjuvant with several antigens, and here we show that in mice IPV formulated with CAF01 induced increased systemic protective immunity measured by binding and neutralization antibody titers in serum. CAF01 also influenced the kinetics of both the cellular and humoral response against IPV to produce a faster, as well as a stronger, response, dominated by IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG2c isotypes as well as IPV specific T cells secreting IFN-γ/IL-2. Finally, as intestinal immunity is also a priority of polio vaccines, we present a vaccine strategy based on simultaneous priming at an intradermal and an intramuscular site that generate intestinal immune responses against polio virus. Taken together, the IPV-CAF01 formulation constitutes a new promising vaccine against polio with the ability to generate strong humoral and cellular immunity against the polio virus.

Serum and mucosal antibody responses to inactivated polio vaccine after sublingual immunization using a thermoresponsive gel delivery system

Administering vaccines directly to mucosal surfaces can induce both serum and mucosal immune responses. Mucosal responses may prevent establishment of initial infection at the port of entry and subsequent dissemination to other sites. The sublingual route is attractive for mucosal vaccination, but both a safe, potent adjuvant and a novel formulation are needed to achieve an adequate immune response. We report the use of a thermoresponsive gel (TRG) combined with a double mutant of a bacterial heat-labile toxin (dmLT) for sublingual immunization with a trivalent inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) in mice. This TRG delivery system, which changes from aqueous solution to viscous gel upon contact with the mucosa at body temperature, helps to retain the formulation at the site of delivery and has functional adjuvant activity from the inclusion of dmLT. IPV was administered to mice either sublingually in the TRG delivery system or intramuscularly in phosphate-buffered saline. We measured poliovirus type-specific serum neutralizing antibodies as well as polio-specific serum Ig and IgA antibodies in serum, saliva, and fecal samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Mice receiving sublingual vaccination via the TRG delivery system produced both mucosal and serum antibodies, including IgA. Intramuscularly immunized animals produced only serum neutralizing and binding Ig but no detectable IgA. This study provides proof of concept for sublingual immunization using the TRG delivery system, comprising a thermoresponsive gel and dmLT adjuvant.

Variation between Populations in the Innate Immune Response to Vaccine Adjuvants

The success of the World Health Organization recommended “Expanded Program of Immunization” (EPI) and similar regional or national programs has been astounding. However, infectious threats currently not covered by these programs continue to infect millions of infants around the world. Furthermore, many infants do not receive existing vaccines either on time or for the required number of doses to provide optimal protection. Nor do all infants around the world develop the same protective immune response to the same vaccine. As a result approximately three million infants die every year from vaccine preventable infections. To tackle these issues, new vaccines need to be developed as well as existing ones made easier to administer. This requires identification of age-optimized vaccine schedules and formulations. In order to be most effective this approach will need to take population-based differences in response to vaccines and adjuvants into account. This review summarizes what is currently known about differences between populations around the world in the innate immune response to existing as well as new and promising vaccine adjuvants.