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Hussain W, Chaman S, Koser HN, Aun SM, Bibi Z, Pirzadi AN, Hussain J, Zubaria Z, Nabi G, Ullah MW, Wang S, Perveen I. Nanoparticle-Mediated Mucosal Vaccination: Harnessing Nucleic Acids for Immune Enhancement. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:279. [PMID: 39031239 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03803-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Recent advancements in in vitro transcribed mRNA (IVT-mRNA) vaccine manufacturing have attracted considerable interest as advanced methods for combating viral infections. The respiratory mucosa is a primary target for pathogen attack, but traditional intramuscular vaccines are not effective in generating protective ion mucosal surfaces. Mucosal immunization can induce both systemic and mucosal immunity by effectively eliminating microorganisms before their growth and development. However, there are several biological and physical obstacles to the administration of genetic payloads, such as IVT-mRNA and DNA, to the pulmonary and nasal mucosa. Nucleic acid vaccine nanocarriers should effectively protect and load genetic payloads to overcome barriers i.e., biological and physical, at the mucosal sites. This may aid in the transfection of specific antigens, epithelial cells, and incorporation of adjuvants. In this review, we address strategies for delivering genetic payloads, such as nucleic acid vaccines, that have been studied in the past and their potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajid Hussain
- Advanced Biomaterials & Tissues Engineering Center, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Sadia Chaman
- University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Zainab Bibi
- University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
| | | | - Jawad Hussain
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | | | - Ghulam Nabi
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Muhammad Wajid Ullah
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenqi Wang
- Advanced Biomaterials & Tissues Engineering Center, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Ishrat Perveen
- GenEd and Molecular Biology Labs, Food and Biotechnology Research Centre, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Centre, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
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2
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Jackson S, Marshall JL, Mawer A, Lopez-Ramon R, Harris SA, Satti I, Hughes E, Preston-Jones H, Cabrera Puig I, Longet S, Tipton T, Laidlaw S, Doherty RP, Morrison H, Mitchell R, Tanner R, Ateere A, Stylianou E, Wu MS, Fredsgaard-Jones TPW, Breuer J, Rapeport G, Ferreira VM, Gleeson F, Pollard AJ, Carroll M, Catchpole A, Chiu C, McShane H. Safety, tolerability, viral kinetics, and immune correlates of protection in healthy, seropositive UK adults inoculated with SARS-CoV-2: a single-centre, open-label, phase 1 controlled human infection study. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:655-668. [PMID: 38703782 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(24)00025-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A SARS-CoV-2 controlled human infection model (CHIM) has been successfully established in seronegative individuals using a dose of 1×101 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) pre-alpha SARS-CoV-2 virus. Given the increasing prevalence of seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2, a CHIM that could be used for vaccine development will need to induce infection in those with pre-existing immunity. Our aim was to find a dose of pre-alpha SARS-CoV-2 virus that induced infection in previously infected individuals. METHODS Healthy, UK volunteers aged 18-30 years, with proven (quantitative RT-PCR or lateral flow antigen test) previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (with or without vaccination) were inoculated intranasally in a stepwise dose escalation CHIM with either 1×101, 1×102, 1×10³, 1×104, or 1×105 TCID50 SARS-CoV-2/human/GBR/484861/2020, the same virus used in the seronegative CHIM. Post-inoculation, volunteers were quarantined in functionally negative pressure rooms (Oxford, UK) for 14 days and until 12-hourly combined oropharyngeal-nasal swabs were negative for viable virus by focus-forming assay. Outpatient follow-up continued for 12 months post-enrolment, with additional visits for those who developed community-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary objective was to identify a safe, well tolerated dose that induced infection (defined as two consecutive SARS-CoV-2 positive PCRs starting 24 h after inoculation) in 50% of seropositive volunteers. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04864548); enrolment and follow-up to 12 months post-enrolment are complete. FINDINGS Recruitment commenced on May 6, 2021, with the last volunteer enrolled into the dose escalation cohort on Nov 24, 2022. 36 volunteers were enrolled, with four to eight volunteers inoculated in each dosing group from 1×101 to 1×105 TCID50 SARS-CoV-2. All volunteers have completed quarantine, with follow-up to 12 months complete. Despite dose escalation to 1×105 TCID50, we were unable to induce sustained infection in any volunteers. Five (14%) of 36 volunteers were considered to have transient infection, based on the kinetic of their PCR-positive swabs. Transiently infected volunteers had significantly lower baseline mucosal and systemic SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody titres and significantly lower peripheral IFNγ responses against a CD8+ T-cell SARS-CoV-2 peptide pool than uninfected volunteers. 14 (39%) of 36 volunteers subsequently developed breakthrough infection with the omicron variant after discharge from quarantine. Most adverse events reported by volunteers in quarantine were mild, with fatigue (16 [44%]) and stuffy nose (16 [44%]) being the most common. There were no serious adverse events. INTERPRETATION Our study demonstrates potent protective immunity induced by homologous vaccination and homologous or heterologous previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The community breakthrough infections seen with the omicron variant supports the use of newer variants to establish a model with sufficient rate of infection for use in vaccine and therapeutic development. FUNDING Wellcome Trust and Department for Health and Social Care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Jackson
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julia L Marshall
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Mawer
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Iman Satti
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eileen Hughes
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Stephanie Longet
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tom Tipton
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen Laidlaw
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Hazel Morrison
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Rachel Tanner
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alberta Ateere
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Meng-San Wu
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Judith Breuer
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Garth Rapeport
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Fergus Gleeson
- Oxford Radiology Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Miles Carroll
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Christopher Chiu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helen McShane
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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3
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Eyal N. Research ethics and public trust in vaccines: the case of COVID-19 challenge trials. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2024; 50:278-284. [PMID: 35595525 PMCID: PMC9157325 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2021-108086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite their clearly demonstrated safety and effectiveness, approved vaccines against COVID-19 are commonly mistrusted. Nations should find and implement effective ways to boost vaccine confidence. But the implications for ethical vaccine development are less straightforward than some have assumed. Opponents of COVID-19 vaccine challenge trials, in particular, made speculative or empirically implausible warnings on this matter, some of which, if applied consistently, would have ruled out most COVID-19 vaccine trials and many non-pharmaceutical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Eyal
- Center for Population-Level Bioethics, Department of Philosophy (SAS) and Department of HBSP (SPH), Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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4
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Jamrozik E, Littler K, Meln I, Van Molle W, Morel S, Olesen OF, Rubbrecht M, Balasingam S, Neels P. Ethical approval for controlled human infectious model clinical trial protocols - A workshop report. Biologicals 2024; 85:101748. [PMID: 38350349 PMCID: PMC11004724 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2024.101748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Controlled Human Infectious Model studies (CHIM) involve deliberately exposing volunteers to pathogens. To discuss ethical issues related to CHIM, the European Vaccine Initiative and the International Alliance for Biological Standardization organised the workshop "Ethical Approval for CHIM Clinical Trial Protocols", which took place on May 30-31, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. The event allowed CHIM researchers, regulators, ethics committee (EC) members, and ethicists to examine the ethical criteria for CHIM and the role(s) of CHIM in pharmaceutical development. The discussions led to several recommendations, including continued assurance that routine ethical requirements are met, assurance that participants are well-informed, and that preparation of study documents must be both ethically and scientifically sound from an early stage. Study applications must clearly state the rationale for the challenge compared to alternative study designs. ECs need to have clear guidance and procedures for evaluating social value and assessing third-party risks. Among other things, public trust in research requires minimisation of harm to healthy volunteers and third-party risk. Other important considerations include appropriate stakeholder engagement, public education, and access to health care for participants after the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euzebiusz Jamrozik
- The Ethox Centre & Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Littler
- Health Ethics and Governance Unit, Research for Health Department, Science Division, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Irina Meln
- European Vaccine Initiative, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Ole F Olesen
- European Vaccine Initiative, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Pieter Neels
- International Alliance for Biological Standardization (IABS), Lyon, France.
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5
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ElSherif M, Halperin SA. Benefits of Combining Molecular Biology and Controlled Human Infection Model Methodologies in Advancing Vaccine Development. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168322. [PMID: 37866477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases continue to account for a significant portion of global deaths despite the use of vaccines for several centuries. Immunization programs around the world are a testament to the great success of multiple vaccines, yet there are still diseases without vaccines and others that require safer more effective ones. Addressing uncontrolled and emerging disease threats is restrained by the limitations and bottlenecks encountered with traditional vaccine development paradigms. Recent advances in modern molecular biology technologies have enhanced the interrogation of host pathogen interaction and deciphered complex pathways, thereby uncovering the myriad interplay of biological events that generate immune protection against foreign agents. Consequent to insights into the immune system, modern biology has been instrumental in the development and production of next generation 21st century vaccines. As these biological tools, commonly and collectively referred to as 'omics, became readily available, there has been a renewed consideration of Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIMs). Successful and reproducible CHIMs can complement modern molecular biology for the study of infectious diseases and development of effective vaccines in a regulated process that mitigates risk, cost, and time, with capacity to discern immune correlates of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- May ElSherif
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, IWK Health, Nova Scotia Health, and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Scott A Halperin
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, IWK Health, Nova Scotia Health, and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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6
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Katzer M, Salloch S, Schindler C, Mertz M. Ethical Requirements for Human Challenge Studies: A Systematic Review of Reasons. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023; 114:1209-1219. [PMID: 37716911 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Human challenge studies (HCS) are controlled clinical trials in which participants are deliberately infected with a pathogen. Such trials are being developed for an increasing number of diseases. Partly as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a recent ethical debate about the reasons for and against HCS in general, or rather, about the requirements that individual HCS must fulfill to be ethically acceptable. A systematic review was conducted to categorize and summarize such requirements and the reasons given for them. Ethics literature was searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, BELIT, and PhilPapers; eligibility criteria were articles published in a scientific/scholarly journal (original research, reviews, editorials, opinion pieces, and conference/meeting reports). Of 1,322 records identified, 161 publications were included, with 183 requirements (with associated reasons) in 10 thematic categories extracted via qualitative content analysis. In synthesizing and interpreting the requirements and their reasons, three issues emerge as particularly sensitive in the case of HCS: the meaning of the right to withdraw from research procedures, communication of researchers with the public and various stakeholders, and the conditions of informed consent. However, four other issues, not specific to HCS, stand out as the most controversial: the acceptable level of risk to participants, payment of participants, protection of vulnerable groups, and standards for international collaborations. Controversies in these areas indicate that further debate is warranted, possibly leading to more specific instructions in ethics guidance documents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Katzer
- Institute for Ethics, History, and Philosophy of Medicine, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Sabine Salloch
- Institute for Ethics, History, and Philosophy of Medicine, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Christoph Schindler
- Center for Clinical Trials (ZKS), Early Clinical Trial Unit (ECTU) & Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Marcel Mertz
- Institute for Ethics, History, and Philosophy of Medicine, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
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7
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Wang L, Nicols A, Turtle L, Richter A, Duncan CJA, Dunachie SJ, Klenerman P, Payne RP. T cell immune memory after covid-19 and vaccination. BMJ MEDICINE 2023; 2:e000468. [PMID: 38027416 PMCID: PMC10668147 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The T cell memory response is a crucial component of adaptive immunity responsible for limiting or preventing viral reinfection. T cell memory after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or vaccination is broad, and spans multiple viral proteins and epitopes, about 20 in each individual. So far the T cell memory response is long lasting and provides a high level of cross reactivity and hence resistance to viral escape by variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as the omicron variant. All current vaccine regimens tested produce robust T cell memory responses, and heterologous regimens will probably enhance protective responses through increased breadth. T cell memory could have a major role in protecting against severe covid-19 disease through rapid viral clearance and early presentation of epitopes, and the presence of cross reactive T cells might enhance this protection. T cell memory is likely to provide ongoing protection against admission to hospital and death, and the development of a pan-coronovirus vaccine might future proof against new pandemic strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Wang
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alex Nicols
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Lance Turtle
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Alex Richter
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher JA Duncan
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Susanna J Dunachie
- NDM Centre For Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University Faculty of Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rebecca P Payne
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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8
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Mercuri M, Hackett K, Upshur R, Emerson CI. Expediting approval for medical countermeasures to address high burden disease: an ethical justification to move beyond emergency use authorisation. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013480. [PMID: 37918871 PMCID: PMC10626867 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Addressing global health crises requires a receptive and expedient policy environment to minimise delays in making available potentially life-saving technologies. Over time, the policy environment has adapted to ensure that communities have expedited access to promising technologies, such as vaccines, that can mitigate morbidity and mortality. Emergency authorisations are one such policy mechanism. While these have been employed successfully for several diseases, such as influenza, Ebola and COVID-19, the policy mechanism is tied to contexts where key bodies have designated the disease an 'emergency', whereas no equivalent mechanism exists for those failing to acquire the designation (eg, malaria and tuberculosis). In this paper, we examine ethical issues associated with emergency authorisations. We argue that there is no moral difference between those diseases considered emergencies and many that fail to be designated as such with respect to impact on affected communities. Thus, tying access to an expedient policy mechanism for approval to an emergency designation is ethically unjustified-it should be based on considerations of risks and benefits, the disease burden and the values of the communities that carry those risks and not contingent on if the disease is designated an emergency. We suggest the need to further enhance the policy environment to ensure access to similar expedited approval programmes irrespective of if a disease is an emergency. Levelling the field for access to expedited approval programmes across diseases can help in moving towards achieving global health equity but is not a panacea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Mercuri
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Dala Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Philosophy, McMaster University Faculty of Humanities, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristy Hackett
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Dala Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ross Upshur
- Dala Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claudia Isabel Emerson
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Philosophy, McMaster University Faculty of Humanities, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Zhou J, Singanayagam A, Barclay WS. Is it possible to generalise superspreading individuals or events of SARS-CoV-2? - Authors' reply. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2023; 4:e859. [PMID: 37640040 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00254-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Anika Singanayagam
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Wendy S Barclay
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK.
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10
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Drewett GP. The Case for Human Challenge Trials in COVID-19. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2023:10.1007/s11673-023-10309-9. [PMID: 37721594 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-023-10309-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated rapid research to aid in the understanding of the disease and the development of novel therapeutics. One option is to conduct controlled human infection trials (CHITs). In this article I examine the history of deliberate human infection and CHITs and their utilization prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, key ethical considerations of CHITs in the COVID-19 setting, an analysis of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Key criteria for the ethical acceptability of COVID-19 human challenge studies, and a review of the two COVID-19 CHITs that have already commenced, their compliance with the WHO criteria and other ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- George P Drewett
- Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- The Northern Hospital, Epping, VIC, Australia.
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11
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von Delft A, Hall MD, Kwong AD, Purcell LA, Saikatendu KS, Schmitz U, Tallarico JA, Lee AA. Accelerating antiviral drug discovery: lessons from COVID-19. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:585-603. [PMID: 37173515 PMCID: PMC10176316 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00692-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a wave of rapid and collaborative drug discovery efforts took place in academia and industry, culminating in several therapeutics being discovered, approved and deployed in a 2-year time frame. This article summarizes the collective experience of several pharmaceutical companies and academic collaborations that were active in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antiviral discovery. We outline our opinions and experiences on key stages in the small-molecule drug discovery process: target selection, medicinal chemistry, antiviral assays, animal efficacy and attempts to pre-empt resistance. We propose strategies that could accelerate future efforts and argue that a key bottleneck is the lack of quality chemical probes around understudied viral targets, which would serve as a starting point for drug discovery. Considering the small size of the viral proteome, comprehensively building an arsenal of probes for proteins in viruses of pandemic concern is a worthwhile and tractable challenge for the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette von Delft
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, National Institute for Health Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Matthew D Hall
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alpha A Lee
- PostEra, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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12
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Morrison H, Jackson S, McShane H. Controlled human infection models in COVID-19 and tuberculosis: current progress and future challenges. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1211388. [PMID: 37304270 PMCID: PMC10248465 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1211388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIMs) involve deliberately exposing healthy human volunteers to a known pathogen, to allow the detailed study of disease processes and evaluate methods of treatment and prevention, including next generation vaccines. CHIMs are in development for both tuberculosis (TB) and Covid-19, but challenges remain in their ongoing optimisation and refinement. It would be unethical to deliberately infect humans with virulent Mycobacteria tuberculosis (M.tb), however surrogate models involving other mycobacteria, M.tb Purified Protein Derivative or genetically modified forms of M.tb either exist or are under development. These utilise varying routes of administration, including via aerosol, per bronchoscope or intradermal injection, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Intranasal CHIMs with SARS-CoV-2 were developed against the backdrop of the evolving Covid-19 pandemic and are currently being utilised to both assess viral kinetics, interrogate the local and systemic immunological responses post exposure, and identify immune correlates of protection. In future it is hoped they can be used to assess new treatments and vaccines. The changing face of the pandemic, including the emergence of new virus variants and increasing levels of vaccination and natural immunity within populations, has provided a unique and complex environment within which to develop a SARS-CoV-2 CHIM. This article will discuss current progress and potential future developments in CHIMs for these two globally significant pathogens.
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13
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Knisely JM, Buyon LE, Mandt R, Farkas R, Balasingam S, Bok K, Buchholz UJ, D'Souza MP, Gordon JL, King DFL, Le TT, Leitner WW, Seder RA, Togias A, Tollefsen S, Vaughn DW, Wolfe DN, Taylor KL, Fauci AS. Mucosal vaccines for SARS-CoV-2: scientific gaps and opportunities-workshop report. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:53. [PMID: 37045860 PMCID: PMC10091310 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00654-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jane M Knisely
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Lucas E Buyon
- Office of Scientific Management and Operations, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rebecca Mandt
- Office of Scientific Management and Operations, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rebecca Farkas
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Skøyen Atrium, Askekroken 11, 0277, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Karin Bok
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ursula J Buchholz
- RNA Viruses Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, US
| | - M Patricia D'Souza
- Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer L Gordon
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Deborah F L King
- Infectious Disease, Prevention, Wellcome Trust, UK, London, NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Tung T Le
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Skøyen Atrium, Askekroken 11, 0277, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wolfgang W Leitner
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Robert A Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alkis Togias
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Stig Tollefsen
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Skøyen Atrium, Askekroken 11, 0277, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Daniel N Wolfe
- Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, 200 C Street SW, Washington, DC, 20024, USA
| | - Kimberly L Taylor
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anthony S Fauci
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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14
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Ford A, Hwang A, Mo AX, Baqar S, Touchette N, Deal C, King D, Earle K, Giersing B, Dull P, Hall BF. Meeting Summary: Global Vaccine and Immunization Research Forum, 2021. Vaccine 2023; 41:1799-1807. [PMID: 36803897 PMCID: PMC9938725 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
The 2021 Global Vaccine and Immunization Research Forum highlighted the considerable advances and recent progress in research and development for vaccines and immunization, critically reviewed lessons learned from COVID-19 vaccine programs, and looked ahead to opportunities for this decade. For COVID-19, decades of investments in basic and translational research, new technology platforms, and vaccines targeting prototype pathogens enabled a rapid, global response. Unprecedented global coordination and partnership have played an essential role in creating and delivering COVID-19 vaccines. More improvement is needed in product attributes such as deliverability, and in equitable access to vaccines. Developments in other priority areas included: the halting of two human immunodeficiency virus vaccine trials due to lack of efficacy in preventing infection; promising efficacy results in Phase 2 trials of two tuberculosis vaccines; pilot implementation of the most advanced malaria vaccine candidate in three countries; trials of human papillomavirus vaccines given in single-dose regimens; and emergency use listing of a novel, oral poliomyelitis type 2 vaccine. More systematic, proactive approaches are being developed for fostering vaccine uptake and demand, aligning on priorities for investment by the public and private sectors, and accelerating policy making. Participants emphasized that addressing endemic disease is intertwined with emergency preparedness and pandemic response, so that advances in one area create opportunities in the other. In this decade, advances made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic should accelerate availability of vaccines for other diseases, contribute to preparedness for future pandemics, and help to achieve impact and equity under Immunization Agenda 2030.
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Key Words
- bcg, bacille calmette-guérin
- bnab, broadly neutralizing antibody
- cepi, coalition for epidemic preparedness innovations
- chim, controlled human infection model
- ecvp, evidence considerations for vaccine policy
- eua, emergency use authorization
- eul, emergency use listing
- gvap, global vaccine action plan
- gvirf, global vaccine and immunization research forum
- hiv, human immunodeficiency virus
- hpv, human papillomavirus
- ia2030, immunization agenda 2030
- mers, middle east respiratory syndrome
- nopv-2, novel oral poliomyelitis type 2 vaccine
- ppp, public–private partnership
- r&d, research and development
- sars, severe acute respiratory syndrome
- vips, vaccine innovation prioritisation strategy
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ford
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, MSC 9825, Bethesda, MD 20892-9825, USA.
| | - Angela Hwang
- Angela Hwang Consulting, PO Box 6601, Albany, CA 94706, USA.
| | - Annie X. Mo
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, MSC 9825, Bethesda, MD 20892-9825, USA
| | - Shahida Baqar
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, MSC 9825, Bethesda, MD 20892-9825, USA.
| | - Nancy Touchette
- Office of Global Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Carolyn Deal
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, MSC 9825, Bethesda, MD 20892-9825, USA.
| | - Deborah King
- Infectious Disease Health Challenge - Prevention, Wellcome Trust, London NW1 2BE, United Kingdom.
| | - Kristen Earle
- Vaccine Development & Surveillance, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PO Box 23350, Seattle, Washington 98102, USA.
| | - Birgitte Giersing
- Department of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Dull
- Vaccine Development & Surveillance, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PO Box 23350, Seattle, Washington 98102, USA.
| | - B. Fenton Hall
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, MSC 9825, Bethesda, MD 20892-9825, USA
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15
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Abstract
New SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and waning immunity demonstrate the need for a quick and simple prophylactic agent to prevent infection. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 binding and infection in vitro. The airways are a major route for infection and therefore inhaled LMWH could be a prophylactic treatment against SARS-CoV-2. We investigated the efficacy of in vivo inhalation of LMWH in humans to prevent SARS-CoV-2 attachment to nasal epithelial cells in a single-center, open-label intervention study. Volunteers received enoxaparin in the right and a placebo (NaCl 0.9%) in the left nostril using a nebulizer. After application, nasal epithelial cells were retrieved with a brush for ex-vivo exposure to either SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus or an authentic SARS-CoV-2 isolate and virus attachment as determined. LMWH inhalation significantly reduced attachment of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus as well as authentic SARS-CoV-2 to human nasal cells. Moreover, in vivo inhalation was as efficient as in vitro LMWH application. Cell phenotyping revealed no differences between placebo and treatment groups and no adverse events were observed in the study participants. Our data strongly suggested that inhalation of LMWH was effective to prevent SARS-CoV-2 attachment and subsequent infection. LMWH is ubiquitously available, affordable, and easy to apply, making them suitable candidates for prophylactic treatment against SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE New SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and waning immunity demonstrate the need for a quick and simple agent to prevent infection. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) have been shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in experimental settings. The airways are a major route for SARS-CoV-2 infection and inhaled LMWH could be a prophylactic treatment. We investigated the efficacy of inhalation of the LMWH enoxaparin in humans to prevent SARS-CoV-2 attachment because this is a prerequisite for infection. Volunteers received enoxaparin in the right and a placebo in the left nostril using a nebulizer. Subsequently, nasal epithelial cells were retrieved with a brush and exposed to SARS-CoV-2. LMWH inhalation significantly reduced the binding of SARS-Cov-2 to human nasal cells. Cell phenotyping revealed no differences between placebo and treatment groups and no adverse events were observed in the participants. Our data indicated that LMWH can be used to block SARS-CoV-2 attachment to nasal cells. LMWH was ubiquitously available, affordable, and easily applicable, making them excellent candidates for prophylactic treatment against SARS-CoV-2.
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16
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Piggin M, Smith E, Mankone P, Ndegwa L, Gbesemete D, Pristerà P, Bahrami-Hessari M, Johnson H, Catchpole AP, Openshaw PJM, Chiu C, Read RC, Ward H, Barker C. The role of public involvement in the design of the first SARS-CoV-2 human challenge study during an evolving pandemic. Epidemics 2022; 41:100626. [PMID: 36088739 PMCID: PMC9434955 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2022.100626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
High quality health care research must involve patients and the public. This ensures research is important, relevant and acceptable to those it is designed to benefit. The world's first human challenge study with SARS-CoV-2 undertook detailed public involvement to inform study design despite the urgency to review and establish the study. The work was integral to the UK Research Ethics Committee review and approval of the study. Discussion with individuals from ethnic minorities within the UK population supported decision-making around the study exclusion criteria. Public review of study materials for consent processes led to the addition of new information, comparisons and visual aids to help volunteers consider the practicalities and risks involved in participating. A discussion exploring the acceptability of a human challenge study with SARS-CoV-2 taking place in the UK, given the current context of the pandemic, identified overall support for the study. Public concern for the wellbeing of trial participants, as a consequence of isolation, was identified. We outline our approach to public involvement and its impact on study design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Piggin
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Patient Experience Research Centre, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, Paddington, London W2 1NY, UK.
| | - Emma Smith
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, UK
| | | | | | - Diane Gbesemete
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, SO16 6YD, UK; School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Mailpoint 806, Level D, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Philippa Pristerà
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Patient Experience Research Centre, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, Paddington, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Michael Bahrami-Hessari
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Halle Johnson
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Patient Experience Research Centre, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, Paddington, London W2 1NY, UK
| | | | - Peter J M Openshaw
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Christopher Chiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Robert C Read
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, SO16 6YD, UK; School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Mailpoint 806, Level D, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Helen Ward
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Patient Experience Research Centre, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, Paddington, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Caroline Barker
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, SO16 6YD, UK; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Wessex, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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17
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Abstract
Since the identification of sickle cell trait as a heritable form of resistance to malaria, candidate gene studies, linkage analysis paired with sequencing, and genome-wide association (GWA) studies have revealed many examples of genetic resistance and susceptibility to infectious diseases. GWA studies enabled the identification of many common variants associated with small shifts in susceptibility to infectious diseases. This is exemplified by multiple loci associated with leprosy, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which illuminate genetic architecture and implicate pathways underlying pathophysiology. Despite these successes, most of the heritability of infectious diseases remains to be explained. As the field advances, current limitations may be overcome by applying methodological innovations such as cellular GWA studies and phenome-wide association (PheWA) studies as well as by improving methodological rigor with more precise case definitions, deeper phenotyping, increased cohort diversity, and functional validation of candidate loci in the laboratory or human challenge studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle D Gibbs
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Benjamin H Schott
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; .,Duke University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dennis C Ko
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; .,Duke University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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18
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Choy RKM, Bourgeois AL, Ockenhouse CF, Walker RI, Sheets RL, Flores J. Controlled Human Infection Models To Accelerate Vaccine Development. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0000821. [PMID: 35862754 PMCID: PMC9491212 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00008-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The timelines for developing vaccines against infectious diseases are lengthy, and often vaccines that reach the stage of large phase 3 field trials fail to provide the desired level of protective efficacy. The application of controlled human challenge models of infection and disease at the appropriate stages of development could accelerate development of candidate vaccines and, in fact, has done so successfully in some limited cases. Human challenge models could potentially be used to gather critical information on pathogenesis, inform strain selection for vaccines, explore cross-protective immunity, identify immune correlates of protection and mechanisms of protection induced by infection or evoked by candidate vaccines, guide decisions on appropriate trial endpoints, and evaluate vaccine efficacy. We prepared this report to motivate fellow scientists to exploit the potential capacity of controlled human challenge experiments to advance vaccine development. In this review, we considered available challenge models for 17 infectious diseases in the context of the public health importance of each disease, the diversity and pathogenesis of the causative organisms, the vaccine candidates under development, and each model's capacity to evaluate them and identify correlates of protective immunity. Our broad assessment indicated that human challenge models have not yet reached their full potential to support the development of vaccines against infectious diseases. On the basis of our review, however, we believe that describing an ideal challenge model is possible, as is further developing existing and future challenge models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert K. M. Choy
- PATH, Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - A. Louis Bourgeois
- PATH, Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Richard I. Walker
- PATH, Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Jorge Flores
- PATH, Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, Seattle, Washington, USA
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19
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Shandhi MMH, Cho PJ, Roghanizad AR, Singh K, Wang W, Enache OM, Stern A, Sbahi R, Tatar B, Fiscus S, Khoo QX, Kuo Y, Lu X, Hsieh J, Kalodzitsa A, Bahmani A, Alavi A, Ray U, Snyder MP, Ginsburg GS, Pasquale DK, Woods CW, Shaw RJ, Dunn JP. A method for intelligent allocation of diagnostic testing by leveraging data from commercial wearable devices: a case study on COVID-19. NPJ Digit Med 2022; 5:130. [PMID: 36050372 PMCID: PMC9434073 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-022-00672-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass surveillance testing can help control outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. However, diagnostic test shortages are prevalent globally and continue to occur in the US with the onset of new COVID-19 variants and emerging diseases like monkeypox, demonstrating an unprecedented need for improving our current methods for mass surveillance testing. By targeting surveillance testing toward individuals who are most likely to be infected and, thus, increasing the testing positivity rate (i.e., percent positive in the surveillance group), fewer tests are needed to capture the same number of positive cases. Here, we developed an Intelligent Testing Allocation (ITA) method by leveraging data from the CovIdentify study (6765 participants) and the MyPHD study (8580 participants), including smartwatch data from 1265 individuals of whom 126 tested positive for COVID-19. Our rigorous model and parameter search uncovered the optimal time periods and aggregate metrics for monitoring continuous digital biomarkers to increase the positivity rate of COVID-19 diagnostic testing. We found that resting heart rate (RHR) features distinguished between COVID-19-positive and -negative cases earlier in the course of the infection than steps features, as early as 10 and 5 days prior to the diagnostic test, respectively. We also found that including steps features increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) by 7-11% when compared with RHR features alone, while including RHR features improved the AUC of the ITA model's precision-recall curve (AUC-PR) by 38-50% when compared with steps features alone. The best AUC-ROC (0.73 ± 0.14 and 0.77 on the cross-validated training set and independent test set, respectively) and AUC-PR (0.55 ± 0.21 and 0.24) were achieved by using data from a single device type (Fitbit) with high-resolution (minute-level) data. Finally, we show that ITA generates up to a 6.5-fold increase in the positivity rate in the cross-validated training set and up to a 4.5-fold increase in the positivity rate in the independent test set, including both symptomatic and asymptomatic (up to 27%) individuals. Our findings suggest that, if deployed on a large scale and without needing self-reported symptoms, the ITA method could improve the allocation of diagnostic testing resources and reduce the burden of test shortages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J Cho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ali R Roghanizad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Karnika Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Will Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Oana M Enache
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amanda Stern
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rami Sbahi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bilge Tatar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sean Fiscus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Qi Xuan Khoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yvonne Kuo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xiao Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Hsieh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alena Kalodzitsa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amir Bahmani
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Arash Alavi
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Utsab Ray
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Geoffrey S Ginsburg
- All of Us Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dana K Pasquale
- Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher W Woods
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ryan J Shaw
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Mobile App Gateway, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jessilyn P Dunn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. .,Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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20
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Goldblatt D, Alter G, Crotty S, Plotkin SA. Correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease. Immunol Rev 2022; 310:6-26. [PMID: 35661178 PMCID: PMC9348242 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Antibodies against epitopes in S1 give the most accurate CoP against infection by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Measurement of those antibodies by neutralization or binding assays both have predictive value, with binding antibody titers giving the highest statistical correlation. However, the protective functions of antibodies are multiple. Antibodies with multiple functions other than neutralization influence efficacy. The role of cellular responses can be discerned with respect to CD4+ T cells and their augmentation of antibodies, and with respect to CD8+ cells with regard to control of viral replication, particularly in the presence of insufficient antibody. More information is needed on mucosal responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Goldblatt
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Galit Alter
- Massachusetts General HospitalRagon Institute of MGH, MIT and HarvardCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Shane Crotty
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine ResearchLa Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI)La JollaCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public HealthUniversity of California San Diego (UCSD)La JollaCaliforniaUSA
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21
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Krause PR, Arora N, Dowling W, Muñoz-Fontela C, Funnell S, Gaspar R, Gruber MF, Hacker A, Maria Henao-Restrepo A, Plotkin S, Rees HV, Smith DK, Swaminathan S. Making more COVID-19 vaccines available to address global needs: Considerations and a framework for their evaluation. Vaccine 2022; 40:5749-5751. [PMID: 35941036 PMCID: PMC9343170 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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22
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Oxford JS, Catchpole A, Mann A, Bell A, Noulin N, Gill D, Oxford JR, Gilbert A, Balasingam S. A Brief History of Human Challenge Studies (1900-2021) Emphasising the Virology, Regulatory and Ethical Requirements, Raison D'etre, Ethnography, Selection of Volunteers and Unit Design. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022. [PMID: 35704095 DOI: 10.1007/82_2022_253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Venetian quarantine 400 years ago was an important public health measure. Since 1900 this has been refined to include "challenge" or deliberate infection with pathogens be they viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Our focus is virology and ranges from the early experiments in Cuba with Yellow Fever Virus to the most widespread pathogen of our current times, COVID-19. The latter has so far caused over four million deaths worldwide and 190 million cases of the disease. Quarantine and challenge were also used to investigate the Spanish Influenza of 1918 which caused over 100 million deaths. We consider here the merits of the approach, that is the speeding up of knowledge in a practical sense leading to the more rapid licensing of vaccines and antimicrobials. At the core of quarantine and challenge initiatives is the design of the unit to allow safe confinement of the pathogen and protection of the staff. Most important though is the safety of volunteers. We can see now, as in 1900, that members of our society are prepared and willing to engage in these experiments for the public good. Our ethnology study, where the investigator observed the experiment from within the quarantine, gave us the first indication of changing attitudes amongst volunteers whilst in quarantine. These quarantine experiments, referred to as challenge studies, human infection studies, or "controlled human infection models" involve thousands of clinical samples taken over two to three weeks and can provide a wealth of immunological and molecular data on the infection itself and could allow the discovery of new targets for vaccines and therapeutics. The Yellow Fever studies from 121 years ago gave the impetus for development of a successful vaccine still used today whilst also uncovering the nature of the Yellow Fever agent, namely that it was a virus. We outline how carefully these experiments are approached and the necessity to have high quality units with self-contained air-flow along with extensive personal protective equipment for nursing and medical staff. Most important is the employment of highly trained scientific, medical and nursing staff. We face a future of emerging pathogens driven by the increasing global population, deforestation, climate change, antibiotic resistance and increased global travel. These emerging pathogens may be pathogens we currently are not aware of or have not caused outbreaks historically but could also be mutated forms of known pathogens including viruses such as influenza (H7N9, H5N1 etc.) and coronaviruses. This calls for challenge studies to be part of future pandemic preparedness as an additional tool to assist with the rapid development of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, immunomodulators and new vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Oxford
- Blizzard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - D Gill
- Blizzard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - J R Oxford
- Inveresk Medical Practice, Edinburgh, E21 7BP, UK
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23
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Rosenheck M. Risk, benefit, and social value in Covid-19 human challenge studies: pandemic decision making in historical context. New Bioeth 2022; 40:188-213. [PMID: 35705839 PMCID: PMC9200217 DOI: 10.1007/s40592-022-00156-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
During the Covid-19 pandemic, ethicists and researchers proposed human challenge studies as a way to speed development of a vaccine that could prevent disease and end the global public health crisis. The risks to healthy volunteers of being deliberately infected with a deadly and novel pathogen were not low, but the benefits could have been immense. This essay is a history of the three major efforts to set up a challenge model and run challenge studies in 2020 and 2021. The pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson, the National Institutes of Health in the United States, and a private-public partnership of industry, university, and government partners in Britain all undertook preparations. The United Kingdom’s consortium began their Human Challenge Programme in March of 2021. Beyond documenting each effort, the essay puts these scientific and ethical debates in dialogue with the social, epidemiological, and institutional conditions of the pandemic as well as the commercial, intellectual, and political systems in which medical research and Covid-19 challenge studies operated. It shows how different institutions understood risk, benefit, and social value depending on their specific contexts. Ultimately the example of Covid-19 challenge studies highlights the constructedness of such assessments and reveals the utility of deconstructing them retrospectively so as to better understand the interplay of medical research and research ethics with larger social systems and historical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel Rosenheck
- Independent Scholar, 424 Morris Street, #2, 19148, PA, Philadelphia, USA.
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24
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Killingley B, Mann AJ, Kalinova M, Boyers A, Goonawardane N, Zhou J, Lindsell K, Hare SS, Brown J, Frise R, Smith E, Hopkins C, Noulin N, Löndt B, Wilkinson T, Harden S, McShane H, Baillet M, Gilbert A, Jacobs M, Charman C, Mande P, Nguyen-Van-Tam JS, Semple MG, Read RC, Ferguson NM, Openshaw PJ, Rapeport G, Barclay WS, Catchpole AP, Chiu C. Safety, tolerability and viral kinetics during SARS-CoV-2 human challenge in young adults. Nat Med 2022; 28:1031-1041. [PMID: 35361992 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01780-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Since its emergence in 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused hundreds of millions of cases and continues to circulate globally. To establish a novel SARS-CoV-2 human challenge model that enables controlled investigation of pathogenesis, correlates of protection and efficacy testing of forthcoming interventions, 36 volunteers aged 18-29 years without evidence of previous infection or vaccination were inoculated with 10 TCID50 of a wild-type virus (SARS-CoV-2/human/GBR/484861/2020) intranasally in an open-label, non-randomized study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04865237 ; funder, UK Vaccine Taskforce). After inoculation, participants were housed in a high-containment quarantine unit, with 24-hour close medical monitoring and full access to higher-level clinical care. The study's primary objective was to identify an inoculum dose that induced well-tolerated infection in more than 50% of participants, with secondary objectives to assess virus and symptom kinetics during infection. All pre-specified primary and secondary objectives were met. Two participants were excluded from the per-protocol analysis owing to seroconversion between screening and inoculation, identified post hoc. Eighteen (~53%) participants became infected, with viral load (VL) rising steeply and peaking at ~5 days after inoculation. Virus was first detected in the throat but rose to significantly higher levels in the nose, peaking at ~8.87 log10 copies per milliliter (median, 95% confidence interval (8.41, 9.53)). Viable virus was recoverable from the nose up to ~10 days after inoculation, on average. There were no serious adverse events. Mild-to-moderate symptoms were reported by 16 (89%) infected participants, beginning 2-4 days after inoculation, whereas two (11%) participants remained asymptomatic (no reportable symptoms). Anosmia or dysosmia developed more slowly in 15 (83%) participants. No quantitative correlation was noted between VL and symptoms, with high VLs present even in asymptomatic infection. All infected individuals developed serum spike-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies. Results from lateral flow tests were strongly associated with viable virus, and modeling showed that twice-weekly rapid antigen tests could diagnose infection before 70-80% of viable virus had been generated. Thus, with detailed characterization and safety analysis of this first SARS-CoV-2 human challenge study in young adults, viral kinetics over the course of primary infection with SARS-CoV-2 were established, with implications for public health recommendations and strategies to affect SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Future studies will identify the immune factors associated with protection in those participants who did not develop infection or symptoms and define the effect of prior immunity and viral variation on clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Killingley
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kate Lindsell
- UK Vaccine Taskforce, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, London, UK
| | - Samanjit S Hare
- Department of Radiology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Brown
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Frise
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Emma Smith
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Claire Hopkins
- ENT Department, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | - Tom Wilkinson
- Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Stephen Harden
- Department of Radiology, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Helen McShane
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Anthony Gilbert
- UK Vaccine Taskforce, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, London, UK
| | - Michael Jacobs
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Christine Charman
- UK Vaccine Taskforce, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, London, UK
| | - Priya Mande
- UK Vaccine Taskforce, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, London, UK
| | - Jonathan S Nguyen-Van-Tam
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham School of Medicine, Nottingham, UK
| | - Malcolm G Semple
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool; Respiratory Department, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert C Read
- Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Neil M Ferguson
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Peter J Openshaw
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Garth Rapeport
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Wendy S Barclay
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Christopher Chiu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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25
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Balasingam S, Meillon S, Chui C, Mann A, La C, Weller CL, King DF, Smith E. Human infection studies: Key considerations for challenge agent development and production. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 7:140. [PMID: 35505774 PMCID: PMC9034172 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17869.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Human infection (or challenge) studies involve the intentional administration of a pathogen (challenge agent) to volunteers. The selection, isolation, development and production of the challenge agent is one of the first steps in developing a challenge study and critical for minimising the risk to volunteers. Regulatory oversight for this production differs globally. Manufacturing agents within a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility reduces the risk of the manufacturing process by including processes such as confirming the identity of the challenge agent and ascertaining that it's pure and free from impurities. However, in some cases it's not possible or feasible to manufacture to GMP standards, for example where the challenge agent requires an intermediate vector for growth. There is lack of clear guidance on what the minimum requirements for high-quality safe manufacture outside of GMP facilities should be and here we describe the development of a considerations document for the selection and production of challenge agents to meet this need.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Meillon
- Infectious Diseases
- Prevention, Wellcome Trust, UK, London, N1 2BE, UK
| | | | - Alex Mann
- Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
| | - Carine La
- Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
| | | | - Deborah F. King
- Infectious Diseases
- Prevention, Wellcome Trust, UK, London, N1 2BE, UK
| | - Emma Smith
- HIC-Vac, Imperial College London, National Heart & Lung Institute (NHLI), London, W2 1PG, UK
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26
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Sherman AC, Rouphael N, Baden LR. Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Trials (and Tribulations): How to Improve the Process of Clinical Trials in a Pandemic. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:S5-S10. [PMID: 35436331 PMCID: PMC9047247 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine clinical trials have been essential to developing effective severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines. The challenges of supply chain disruptions, infection control, study designs, and participant factors that affect trial procedures are reviewed, with specific solutions to streamline the clinical trial process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C. Sherman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States,Corresponding Author: Amy C. Sherman, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 15 Francis Street, PBB-A-4, Boston, MA 02115, USA,
| | - Nadine Rouphael
- Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lindsey R. Baden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Alternate Corresponding Author: Lindsey R. Baden, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 15 Francis Street, PBB-A-4, Boston, MA 02115, USA,
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27
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Edwards
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Kathleen M Neuzil
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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28
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Gerhard T, Strom BL, Eyal N. Pandemic vaccine testing: combining conventional and challenge studies. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2022; 31:710-715. [PMID: 35297119 PMCID: PMC9313872 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Early into COVID, human challenge trials were considered, but usually as alternatives to conventional randomized controlled trials. Instead, assessment of authorized COVID vaccines, of further COVID vaccines, and of vaccines against future pandemics should combine both designs, in five different ways, including a wholly novel one that we elaborate, Viz., combining data from both designs to answer a single question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gerhard
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Brian L Strom
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Nir Eyal
- Center for Population-Level Bioethics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Philosophy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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29
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Ye C, Park JG, Chiem K, Dravid P, Allué-Guardia A, Garcia-Vilanova A, Kapoor A, Walter MR, Kobie JJ, Plemper RK, Torrelles JB, Martinez-Sobrido L. Immunization with recombinant accessory protein-deficient SARS-CoV-2 protects against lethal challenge and viral transmission. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.03.13.484172. [PMID: 35313573 PMCID: PMC8936109 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.13.484172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a worldwide Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite high efficacy of the authorized vaccines, protection against the surging variants of concern (VoC) was less robust. Live-attenuated vaccines (LAV) have been shown to elicit robust and long-term protection by induction of host innate and adaptive immune responses. We sought to develop a COVID-19 LAV by generating 3 double open reading frame (ORF)-deficient recombinant (r)SARS-CoV-2 simultaneously lacking two accessory open reading frame (ORF) proteins (ORF3a/ORF6, ORF3a/ORF7a, and ORF3a/ORF7b). Here, we report that these double ORF-deficient rSARS-CoV-2 have slower replication kinetics and reduced fitness in cultured cells as compared to their parental wild-type (WT) counterpart. Importantly, these double ORF-deficient rSARS-CoV-2 showed attenuation in both K18 hACE2 transgenic mice and golden Syrian hamsters. A single intranasal dose vaccination induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies against different SARS-CoV-2 VoC, and also activated viral component-specific T-cell responses. Notably, the double ORF-deficient rSARS-CoV-2 were able to protect, as determined by inhibition of viral replication, shedding, and transmission, against challenge with SARS-CoV-2. Collectively, our results demonstrate the feasibility to implement these double ORF-deficient rSARS-CoV-2 as safe, stable, immunogenic and protective LAV for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated COVID-19 disease.
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Abstract
A diverse array of successful, first-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have played a huge role in efforts to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control, even though inequitable distribution still leaves many vulnerable. Additional challenges loom for the next phase. These include optimizing the immunological rationale for boosting-how often and with what-and the best approaches for building a future-proofed, durable immune repertoire to protect against oncoming viral variants, including in children. The landscape of vaccine producers and technologies is likely to become even more heterogeneous. There is a need now for appraisal of future approaches: While some favor frequent boosting with the first-generation, ancestral spike vaccines, others propose frequent readjustment using current variant sequences, polyvalent vaccines, or pan-coronavirus strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Altmann
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rosemary J Boyton
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Lung Division, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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31
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McKendry R, Lemm NM, Papargyris L, Chiu C. Human Challenge Studies with Coronaviruses Old and New. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022. [PMID: 35181805 DOI: 10.1007/82_2021_247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus infections have been known to cause disease in animals since as early as the 1920s. However, only seven coronaviruses capable of causing human disease have been identified thus far. These Human Coronaviruses (HCoVs) include the causes of the common cold, but more recent coronaviruses that have emerged (i.e. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) are associated with much greater morbidity and mortality. HCoVs have been relatively under-studied compared to other common respiratory infections, as historically they have presented with mild symptoms. This has led to a relatively limited understanding of their animal reservoirs, transmission and determinants of immune protection. To address this, human infection challenge studies with HCoVs have been performed that enable a detailed clinical and immunological analysis of the host response at specific time points under controlled conditions with standardised viral inocula. Until recently, all such human challenge studies were conducted with common cold HCoVs, with the study of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV unacceptable due to their greater pathogenicity. However, with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic during which severe outcomes in young healthy adults have been rare, human challenge studies with SARS-CoV-2 are now being developed. Two SARS-CoV-2 human challenge studies in the UK studying individuals with and without pre-existing immunity are underway. As well as providing a platform for testing of antivirals and vaccines, such studies will be critical for understanding the factors associated with susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and thus developing improved strategies to tackle the current as well as future HCoV pandemics. Here, we summarise the major questions about protection and pathogenesis in HCoV infection that human infection challenge studies have attempted to answer historically, as well as the knowledge gaps that aim to be addressed with contemporary models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard McKendry
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nana-Marie Lemm
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Loukas Papargyris
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher Chiu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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32
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Rizvi SG, Ahammad SZ. COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance: A cross-study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:150873. [PMID: 34634340 PMCID: PMC8500695 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as a severe concern due to the escalating instances of resistant human pathogens encountered by health workers. Consequently, there is a shortage of antibiotics to treat Multidrug Resistance (MDR) and Extensively Drug Resistance (XDR) patients. The primary cause of AMR is the vast array of anthropogenic disturbances in natural microfauna brought about by the extensive use of antibiotics. Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has crashed antibiotic stewardship and single-handedly increased the global usage of antibiotics, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and biocide, causing a ripple effect in the existing global AMR problem. This surge in antibiotic usage has escalated the residual antibiotics reaching Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) from pharmaceutical companies, health care centers, and domestic settings. Ultimately the natural water bodies receiving their effluents will have higher concentrations of emerging contaminants as the WWTPs cannot remove the Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) completely. Furthermore, increased biocides usage will increase AMR by co-resistance, and increasing plastics will turn into microplastics and get converted to plastisphere, which will further enhance its propagation. Therefore, it is crucial to curb antibiotic usage, implement antibiotic stewardship dynamically; and, ameliorate the present condition of WWTPs to remove residual PPCPs efficiently. The need of the hour is to address the grave threat of AMR, which is loitering silently; if not the mankind will endure more affliction hereafter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shaikh Ziauddin Ahammad
- Block I, Room # 135, Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
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33
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Ethics review of COVID-19 human challenge studies: a joint HRA/WHO workshop. Vaccine 2022; 40:3484-3489. [PMID: 35210119 PMCID: PMC8841214 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This report of a joint World Health Organization (WHO) and United Kingdom (UK) Health Research Authority (HRA) workshop discusses the ethics review of the first COVID-19 human challenge studies, undertaken in the midst of the pandemic. It reviews the early efforts of international and national institutions to define the ethical standards required for COVID-19 human challenge studies and create the frameworks to ensure rigorous and timely review of these studies. This report evaluates the utility of the WHO’s international guidance document Key criteria for the ethical acceptability of COVID-19 human challenge studies (WHO Key Criteria) as a practical resource for the ethics review of COVID-19 human challenge studies. It also assesses the UK HRA’s approach to these complex ethics reviews, including the formation of a Specialist Ad-Hoc Research Ethics Committee (REC) for COVID-19 Human Challenge Studies to review all current and future COVID-19 human challenge studies. In addition, the report outlines the reflections of REC members and researchers regarding the ethics review process of the first COVID-19 human challenge studies. Finally, it considers the potential ongoing scientific justification for COVID-19 human challenge studies, particularly in relation to next-generation vaccines and optimisation of vaccination schedules. Overall, there was broad agreement that the WHO Key Criteria represented an international consensus document that played a powerful role in setting norms and delineating the necessary conditions for the ethical acceptability of COVID-19 human challenge studies. Workshop members suggested that the WHO Key Criteria could be practically implemented to support researchers and ethics reviewers, including in the training of ethics committee members. In future, a wider audience may be engaged by the original document and potential additional materials, informed by the experiences of those involved in the first COVID-19 human challenge studies outlined in this document.
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34
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Mortimer P. A comparison with historical influenza prompts better planning for Covid-19 and future pandemics, and gives grounds for optimism. Rev Med Virol 2021; 32:e2307. [PMID: 34713528 PMCID: PMC8646431 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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35
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Steuwer B, Eyal N. SARS-CoV-2 Human Challenge Studies. N Engl J Med 2021; 385:1728. [PMID: 34587380 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc2113574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nir Eyal
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
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36
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Rohrig A, Eyal N. The Ethics of Human Challenge Trials Using Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Virus Variants. J Infect Dis 2021; 225:934-937. [PMID: 34624095 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The world's first COVID-19 human challenge trial using the D614G strain of SARS-CoV-2 is underway in the United Kingdom. The Wellcome Trust is funding challenge stock preparation of the Beta and Delta variant for a follow-up human challenge trial, and researchers at hVIVO are considering conducting these trials. However, little has been written thus far about the ethical justifiability of human challenge trials with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. We explore two specific characteristics of some variants that may initially be thought to make such trials unethical and conclude that SARS-CoV-2 variant challenge trials can remain ethical.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nir Eyal
- Center for Population-Level Bioethics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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37
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Swan DA, Goyal A, Bracis C, Moore M, Krantz E, Brown E, Cardozo-Ojeda F, Reeves DB, Gao F, Gilbert PB, Corey L, Cohen MS, Janes H, Dimitrov D, Schiffer JT. Mathematical Modeling of Vaccines That Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Transmission. Viruses 2021; 13:1921. [PMID: 34696352 PMCID: PMC8539635 DOI: 10.3390/v13101921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 vaccine clinical trials assess efficacy against disease (VEDIS), the ability to block symptomatic COVID-19. They only partially discriminate whether VEDIS is mediated by preventing infection completely, which is defined as detection of virus in the airways (VESUSC), or by preventing symptoms despite infection (VESYMP). Vaccine efficacy against transmissibility given infection (VEINF), the decrease in secondary transmissions from infected vaccine recipients, is also not measured. Using mathematical modeling of data from King County Washington, we demonstrate that if the Moderna (mRNA-1273QS) and Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccines, which demonstrated VEDIS > 90% in clinical trials, mediate VEDIS by VESUSC, then a limited fourth epidemic wave of infections with the highly infectious B.1.1.7 variant would have been predicted in spring 2021 assuming rapid vaccine roll out. If high VEDIS is explained by VESYMP, then high VEINF would have also been necessary to limit the extent of this fourth wave. Vaccines which completely protect against infection or secondary transmission also substantially lower the number of people who must be vaccinated before the herd immunity threshold is reached. The limited extent of the fourth wave suggests that the vaccines have either high VESUSC or both high VESYMP and high VEINF against B.1.1.7. Finally, using a separate intra-host mathematical model of viral kinetics, we demonstrate that a 0.6 log vaccine-mediated reduction in average peak viral load might be sufficient to achieve 50% VEINF, which suggests that human challenge studies with a relatively low number of infected participants could be employed to estimate all three vaccine efficacy metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Swan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
| | - Ashish Goyal
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
| | - Chloe Bracis
- TIMC-IMAG/BCM, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Mia Moore
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
| | - Elizabeth Krantz
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
| | - Elizabeth Brown
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Fabian Cardozo-Ojeda
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
| | - Daniel B. Reeves
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
| | - Fei Gao
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Peter B. Gilbert
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lawrence Corey
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Myron S. Cohen
- Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Holly Janes
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dobromir Dimitrov
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Joshua T. Schiffer
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (D.A.S.); (A.G.); (M.M.); (E.K.); (E.B.); (F.C.-O.); (D.B.R.); (F.G.); (P.B.G.); (L.C.); (H.J.); (D.D.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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