Data privacy protection in scientific publications: process implementation at a pharmaceutical company.

BACKGROUND: Sharing anonymized/de-identified clinical trial data and publishing research outcomes in scientific journals, or presenting them at conferences, is key to data-driven scientific exchange. However, when data from scientific publications are linked to other publicly available personal information, the risk of reidentification of trial participants increases, raising privacy concerns. Therefore, we defined a set of criteria allowing us to determine and minimize the risk of data reidentification. We also implemented a review process at Takeda for clinical publications prior to submission for publication in journals or presentation at medical conferences. METHODS: Abstracts, manuscripts, posters, and oral presentations containing study participant information were reviewed and the potential impact on study participant privacy was assessed. Our focus was on direct (participant ID, initials) and indirect identifiers, such as sex, age or geographical indicators in rare disease studies or studies with small sample size treatment groups. Risk minimization was sought using a generalized presentation of identifier-relevant information and decision-making on data sharing for further research. Additional risk identification was performed based on study participant/personnel parameters present in materials destined for the public domain. The potential for participant/personnel identification was then calculated to facilitate presentation of meaningful but de-identified information. RESULTS: The potential for reidentification was calculated using a risk ratio of the exposed versus available individuals, with a value above the threshold of 0.09 deemed an unacceptable level of reidentification risk. We found that in 13% of Takeda clinical trial publications reviewed, either individuals could potentially be reidentified (despite the use of anonymized data sets) or inappropriate data sharing plans could pose a data privacy risk to study participants. In 1/110 abstracts, 58/275 manuscripts, 5/87 posters and 3/58 presentations, changes were necessary due to data privacy concerns/rules. Despite the implementation of risk-minimization measures prior to release, direct and indirect identifiers were found in 11% and 34% of the analysed documents, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Risk minimization using de-identification of clinical trial data presented in scientific publications and controlled data sharing conditions improved privacy protection for study participants. Our results also suggest that additional safeguards should be implemented to ensure that higher data privacy standards are met.

Phase 3 Clinical Trial: Perioperative Use of Nonacog Gamma, a Recombinant Factor IX, in Previously Treated Patients With Moderate/Severe Hemophilia B.

Hemostatic management is essential for ensuring the safety of patients with hemophilia during surgery. This phase 3, prospective, uncontrolled trial, evaluated hemostatic efficacy, consumption, and safety of a recombinant factor IX concentrate, nonacog gamma (BAX 326, Rixubis® [Baxalta US Inc., a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA]), in intraoperative and postoperative settings in previously treated patients (PTPs) with severe or moderately severe hemophilia B undergoing elective surgery (N = 38 surgeries; 21 major, 17 minor). Predefined preoperative hemostatic factor IX levels (80-100% of normal for major and 30-60% for minor surgeries) were maintained for each patient. Intraoperative efficacy was rated as "excellent" or "good" for all surgeries. Postoperative hemostatic efficacy on day of discharge was rated as "excellent," "good," and "fair," respectively, for 29 (76.3%), 7 (18.4%), and 2 (5.3%) surgical procedures. All adverse events were considered unrelated to study drug; most frequently reported was mild procedural pain (9 patients). No thrombotic events, severe allergic reactions, or inhibitor formation were observed. Nonacog gamma was well tolerated and effective for intraoperative and postoperative hemostatic management of PTPs with hemophilia B.NCT01507896, EudraCT: 2011-000413-39.

Pharmacokinetic equivalence, comparable safety, and immunogenicity of an adalimumab biosimilar product (M923) to Humira in healthy subjects.

The aims of this randomized, double-blind, three-arm, single-dose study were to demonstrate pharmacokinetic (PK) equivalence of the adalimumab biosimilar M923 (hereafter referred to as "M923") to each of 2 reference products, and to assess M923's safety and immunogenicity. Primary PK endpoints were maximum observed concentration (Cmax ), area under the curve (AUC) from time 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-inf ), and AUC from time 0 to 336 hours (AUC0-336 ). Secondary endpoints included safety and immunogenicity assessments. Healthy subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to receive a 40-mg dose of M923 (n = 107); adalimumab US Humira (n = 105), hereafter referred to as "US Humira"; or adalimumab EU Humira (n = 103), hereafter referred to as "EU Humira." PK equivalence was demonstrated for all primary PK endpoints. Geometric least squares means ratios (GMRs) for Cmax , AUC0-inf , and AUC0-336 were 99.4, 100.9, and 100.5, respectively, between the M923 and EU Humira arms and 102.6, 104.2, and 102.9 between the M923 and US Humira arms. The 90% confidence intervals of the GMRs for all PK endpoints were within prespecified confidence bounds of 80%-125%. Adverse event rates were similar across the M923 (47.7%), US Humira (50.9%), and EU Humira (53.3%) arms and were generally mild (73.7%) or moderate (22.0%). The proportion of subjects with a confirmed antidrug antibody (ADA) response was similar across study arms. This study demonstrated bioequivalent PK among M923, US Humira, and EU Humira and demonstrated that the PK parameters were consistent with similar safety and tolerability profile and ADA response rates.

Efficacy and safety of protein C concentrate to treat purpura fulminans and thromboembolic events in severe congenital protein C deficiency.

Severe congenital protein C (PC) deficiency (SCPCD) is associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), purpura fulminans (PF), and vascular thromboembolic events (TE), often leading to organ failure and death. PC replacement therapy offers a safe, effective treatment for thromboembolic complications of SCPCD and secondary prophylaxis for recurrent DIC, PF, and TEs. A prospective, multi-centre, open-label, phase 2/3 study was conducted to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of protein C concentrate for treatment of PF and acute TEs. Fifteen enrolled patients with SCPCD received protein C concentrate; 11 received treatment for acute TEs (PF, 18 events; PF and other coumarin-related vascular thromboembolic events [coumarin-induced skin necrosis; CISN], 1 event; venous thrombosis, 5 events). Pre-defined efficacy criteria for treatment of acute TEs were compared with a historical control arm (i. e. patients receiving conventional therapy without protein C replacement). PF/CISN was demonstrated by pre-defined primary and secondary efficacy ratings. Primary ratings of protein C concentrate-treated episodes were significantly higher (p=0.0032) than in the historical control. For 19 PF/CISN episodes in 11 patients, 94.7 % of treatments were rated effective and 5.3 % effective with complications (not related to protein C concentrate). In a secondary efficacy rating, all treatments were rated effective (68.4 % excellent; 21.1 % good; 10.5 % fair). For 5/24 vascular thrombosis episodes, 80 % of treatments were rated excellent and 20 % were rated good. No treatment-related adverse events or serious adverse events occurred. In conclusion, protein C concentrate provides an efficacious, safe treatment for PF, CISN, and other TEs in SCPCD patients.

Hemostatic efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of a recombinant von Willebrand factor in severe von Willebrand disease.

This phase 3 trial evaluated the safety and hemostatic efficacy of a recombinant von Willebrand factor (rVWF) for treatment of bleeds in severe von Willebrand disease (VWD). rVWF was initially administered together with recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) and subsequently alone, as long as hemostatic factor VIII activity (FVIII : C) levels were maintained. Pharmacokinetics (PK) were evaluated in a randomized cross-over design (rVWF vs rVWF:rFVIII at 50 IU VWF:ristocetin cofactor activity [RCo]/kg). Bleed control for all treated bleeds (N = 192 bleeds in 22 subjects) was rated good or excellent (96.9% excellent; 119 of 122 minor, 59 of 61 moderate, and 6 of 7 major bleeds) on a 4-point scale (4 = none to 1 = excellent). A single infusion was effective in 81.8% of bleeds. Treatment success, defined as the number of subjects with a mean efficacy rating of <2.5, was 100%. The PK profile of rVWF was not influenced by rFVIII (mean VWF:RCo terminal half-life: 21.9 hours for rVWF and 19.6 hours for rVWF:rFVIII). FVIII : C levels increased rapidly after rVWF alone, with hemostatic levels achieved within 6 hours and sustained through 72 hours after infusion. Eight adverse events (AEs; 6 nonserious AEs in 4 subjects and 2 serious AEs [chest discomfort and increased heart rate, without cardiac symptomatology] concurrently in 1 subject) were associated with rVWF. There were no thrombotic events or severe allergic reactions. No VWF or FVIII inhibitors, anti-VWF binding antibodies, or antibodies against host cell proteins were detected. These results show that rVWF was safe and effective in treating bleeds in VWD patients and stabilizes endogenous FVIII : C, which may eliminate the need for rFVIII after the first infusion. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01410227.

Nonacog gamma, a novel recombinant factor IX with low factor IXa content for treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding episodes.

Nonacog gamma is a new recombinant factor IX to treat factor IX deficiency. It is indicated for control of bleeding episodes, perioperative management and routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adults and children with hemophilia B. Nonacog gamma was first approved in the USA in June 2013 under the trade name RIXUBIS followed by market approvals in Australia and the EU in 2014, and marketing authorization decision is pending in Japan. Nonacog gamma is derived from a recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell line using a state of the art biotechnological manufacturing process. Recombinant factor IX is produced by Baxter's protein-free fermentation technology, which was first developed for ADVATE. The product is purified and formulated in the absence of any human or animal-derived protein. Nonacog gamma was characterized both in comprehensive in vitro and in vivo non-clinical studies as well as in an extensive clinical trial program.

Single priming dose of meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine (NeisVac-C®) in infants.

Since the introduction of the meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine in the pediatric population in 1999, numerous clinical studies have confirmed the immunogenicity and safety of the NeisVac-C(®) vaccine, and several have observed a strong immune response after a single priming dose, which could be successfully boosted. Maximizing protection of infants with as few vaccine doses as possible would increase the general acceptability of the immunization strategies and support broader coverage without increasing vaccination costs. This was a randomized feasibility study of a single priming NeisVac-C(®) vaccine dose administered at 4 or 6 months of age, compared to the currently licensed two dose priming at 2 and 4 months of age, followed by a booster vaccination at 12-13 months of age. High seroprotection rates and serum bactericidal antibody (rSBA) titers were observed in all study groups, whether a single or two dose priming vaccination was administered, at all time points investigated: one month after the priming vaccination(s) (>99% of subjects rSBA≥8), prior to booster vaccination (>65% of subjects with rSBA≥8, with the lowest titers and GMTs seen in the two dose priming group), as well as after booster vaccination administration (99% with rSBA≥128 in all three study groups, with the highest GMT of 2472 seen in the 4 month single dose group). This study confirmed trends seen in previous reports that a single-dose priming vaccination at 4 or 6 months of age can be considered a valuable alternative to the currently licensed two-dose priming vaccination schedule.

A non-adjuvanted whole-virus H1N1 pandemic vaccine is well tolerated and highly immunogenic in children and adolescents and induces substantial immunological memory.

This phase 1/2 open-label, randomized clinical study investigated the safety and immunogenicity of a non-adjuvanted, whole virus, Vero cell-derived H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine (A/H1N1/California/07/2009) in children and adolescents (6 months to 17 years). Subjects were stratified by age (6-11 months, 12-35 months, 3-8 years, 9-17 years) to receive two vaccinations 21 days apart of either the 3.75 µg or 7.5 µg dose. A booster with a licensed trivalent seasonal (2010/2011) influenza vaccine was administered one year after the first vaccination to a subgroup that had previously received the 7.5 µg dose. A single vaccination with the 7.5 µg dose induced high seroprotection rates in all subjects, namely: 88.0% (9-17 years); 68.0% (3-8 years); 42.9% (12-35 months); and 50.0% (6-11 months). Following a second vaccination, seroprotection rates ranged from 84.2% to 100%. GMTs after two vaccinations with the 7.5 µg dose (as determined by HI) were also substantial: reaching 210.0 (9-17 years), 196.2 (3-8 years), 118.9 (12-35 months) and 99.6 (6-11 months). Antibody persistence was demonstrated at 6 months (GMTs ranging from 65.6 to 212.8 with the 7.5 µg dose) and at 12 months (GMTs ranging from 33.6 to 124.1 with the 7.5 µg dose) after primary vaccination. The booster vaccination induced a strong response to the A/California/07/2009 strain, reaching 100% seroprotection in all age groups, with GMTs ranging from 640.0 to 886.3. The vaccine was well tolerated, inducing low adverse reaction rates (overall fever rate: 6% after the first vaccination; 7% after the second vaccination), even in young children. These data confirm that the H1N1 whole-virus Vero cell-derived pandemic influenza vaccine is suitable for use in children and adolescents; a 2-dose primary vaccination induces a memory response in a naïve population that can be effectively boosted with the A/H1N1/California/07/2009 component of a seasonal influenza vaccine. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00976469.

Antibody persistence after two vaccinations with either FSME-IMMUN® Junior or ENCEPUR® Children followed by third vaccination with FSME-IMMUN® Junior.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccination strategies to induce optimal seroprotection in children are under constant evaluation. This multi-center, randomized, controlled, phase III clinical study examined antibody persistence in children aged 1-11 y following two prospectively administered doses of either the FSME-IMMUN® Junior or Encepur Children® vaccines, as well as investigating the immunogenicity, safety and vaccine interchangeability of a third vaccination with FSME-IMMUN(®) Junior. A high level of antibody persistence was observed in all subjects 6 mo after the first of two vaccinations with either pediatric TBE vaccine. Based on both immunological tests and viral antigens used, slightly higher seropositivity rates and higher GMCs /GMTs were found in children vaccinated with FSME-IMMUN® Junior compared with those who received Encepur® Children. Seropositivity rates across all age strata combined six months after the first vaccination with FSME-IMMUN® 0.25 mL Junior were 95.1% as determined by Immunozym ELISA, 93.2% as determined by Enzygnost ELISA and 95.3% as determined by NT; compared with 62.6%, 80.5% and 91.0% respectively after vaccination with Encepur® Children. A third vaccination with FSME-IMMUN(®) Junior induced 100% seropositivity in both study groups and was well tolerated as demonstrated by the low rates of systemic and injection site reactions. Subjects who received either FSME-IMMUN Junior® or Encepur(®) Children vaccine for the first two vaccinations and FSME-IMMUN Junior® for the third showed a comparably strong immune response regardless of the previous TBE vaccine administered, demonstrating that two vaccinations with Encepur® Children can successfully be followed by a third vaccination with FSME-IMMUN Junior®.

Pre-vaccination immunity and immune responses to a cell culture-derived whole-virus H1N1 vaccine are similar to a seasonal influenza vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Immune responses to novel pandemic influenza vaccines may be influenced by previous exposure to antigenically similar seasonal strains. METHODS: An open-label, randomized, phase I/II study was conducted to assess the immunogenicity and safety of a non-adjuvanted, inactivated whole-virus H1N1 A/California/07/2009 vaccine. 408 subjects were stratified by age (18-59 and >60 years) and randomized 1:1 to receive two vaccinations with either 3.75 or 7.5 µg hemagglutinin antigen 21 days apart. Safety, immunogenicity and the influence of seasonal influenza vaccination and antibody cross-reactivity with a seasonal H1N1 strain was assessed. RESULTS: A single vaccination with either dose induced substantial increases in H1N1 A/California/07/2009 hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralizing (MN) antibody titers in both adult and elderly subjects. A single 7.5 µg dose induced seroprotection rates of 86.9% in adults and 75.2% in elderly subjects. Two 7.5 µg vaccinations induced seroprotection rates in adult and elderly subjects of 90.9% and 89.1%, respectively. The robust immune response to vaccination was confirmed by analyses of neutralizing antibody titers. Both HI and MN antibodies persisted for ≥ 6 months post-vaccination. Between 34% and 49% of subjects had seroprotective levels of H1N1 A/California/07/2009 antibodies at baseline. Higher baseline HI titers were associated with receipt of the 2008-09 or 2009-10 seasonal influenza vaccine. High baseline A/California/07/2009 neutralizing antibody titers were also associated with high baseline titers against A/New Caledonia/20/99, a seasonal H1N1 strain which circulated and was included in the seasonal vaccine from 2000-01 to 2006-07. Pre-adsorption with A/H1N1/New Caledonia/20/99 antigen reduced A/H1N1/California/07/2009 baseline titers in 55% of tested sera. The vaccine was well tolerated with low rates of fever. CONCLUSIONS: A whole-virus H1N1 A/California/07/2009 vaccine was safe and well tolerated and a single dose induced substantial immune responses similar to seasonal influenza vaccines, probably due to immunological priming by previous seasonal influenza vaccines or infections.

Safety and immunogenicity of two different doses of a Vero cell-derived, whole virus clade 2 H5N1 (A/Indonesia/05/2005) influenza vaccine.

A successful vaccine development strategy for areas with clustered H5N1 events requires conduct of vaccine trials in potentially non-naïve subjects and evaluation of post-vaccination responsiveness. An open-label, randomized, phase I/II study therefore assessed the immunogenicity and safety of two different dose levels of an inactivated, non-adjuvanted, whole virus clade 2.1 (A/Indonesia/05/2005) H5N1 Vero cell-derived influenza vaccine in healthy adults (21-45 years) from a region where the virus has been circulating (Hong Kong) as well as Singapore. Subjects (N=110) were randomized 1:1 to receive two vaccinations with either 3.75 µg or 7.5 µg H5N1 haemagglutinin antigen 21 days apart. Safety, immunogenicity (microneutralization [MN] and single radial haemolysis [SRH] at baseline and post-vaccination) and cross-reactivity against a heterologous clade 1 strain (A/Vietnam/1203/2004) of the vaccine were assessed. Pre-existing immunity to the vaccine strain was 14% which is higher than previously reported for these regions. Two vaccinations with either vaccine formulation induced high seroprotection rates (MN titre ≥ 1:20) against the vaccine strain A/Indonesia/05/2005: 82.7% and 86.5% in the 3.75 µg and 7.5 µg dose groups. Seroconversion rates and fold increase exceeded the CPMP criterion of >40% and >2.5 for MN and SRH in both dose groups after the second vaccination, while the seroprotection rate in the 7.5 µg dose group determined by SRH was only marginally lower (69.2%) than the CPMP criterion of >70%. Thus, 11 of 12 CHMP criteria were fulfilled. A cross-reactive antibody response against the heterologous A/Vietnam/1203/2004 strain was demonstrated after the second vaccination (>21% by MN and ≥ 25% by SRH). Persistence of antibodies against the vaccine strain was also demonstrated 6 months after the first vaccination, indicating that a booster vaccination would be effective in those who have received two priming doses. No serious adverse events were reported. The H5N1 influenza vaccine against clade 2.1 strain A/Indonesia/05/2005 was well tolerated and immunogenic after two vaccinations, and induced a cross-neutralizing antibody response, with no dose effect.

Prevention of tick-borne encephalitis by FSME-IMMUN vaccines: review of a clinical development programme.

The need for highly effective tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccines has increased globally due to a variety of factors including climate, social, economic and demographic changes, which are thought to have promoted the expansion of the endemic region of TBE viruses. The first TBE vaccine, FSME-IMMUN Inject, was introduced in the 1970s and has been continually improved since then to enhance both its safety and immunogenicity. The current formulation was established in 2001 and is marketed as FSME-IMMUN. This review summarizes findings of the clinical development programme since 2001 regarding determination of the optimal dose, conventional and rapid vaccination schedules, vaccination in adults, the elderly and special patient populations, safety, immunogenicity, and immunopersistence in adults and children, comparison of FSME-IMMUN with another commercially available TBE vaccine as well as post-marketing vaccination outcome. This successful research programme demonstrated the strong immunogenicity and continued safety of the FSME-IMMUN vaccine, which is further confirmed by the performance reported under field conditions.

Use of fibrin sealant as a hemostatic agent in expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft placement surgery.

BACKGROUND: The low thrombogenicity, porosity, and limited elasticity of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts, although beneficial, may exacerbate the problem of suture-line bleeding at vascular anastomoses and consequently lead to increased operating times. The overall objective of this prospective, randomized, controlled, subject-blinded, multicenter phase 2 study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fibrin sealant containing 500 IU/mL thrombin and synthetic aprotinin (FS; marketed in the United States under the name TISSEEL) for hemostasis in subjects undergoing vascular surgery and receiving prosthetic ePTFE vascular grafts. METHODS: FS was compared with manual compression with surgical gauze pads, a standard of care for hemostasis in vascular surgery. Two FS polymerization/setting times (60 and 120 seconds) were investigated to evaluate influence on the efficacy results. Patients undergoing ePTFE graft placement surgery (N = 73) who experienced bleeding that required treatment after surgical hemostasis were randomized to be treated with FS with clamps opened at 60 seconds (FS-60; N = 26), with FS with clamps opened at 120 seconds (FS-120; N = 24), or with manual compression with surgical gauze pads (control; N = 23). The proportion of subjects achieving hemostasis at 4 minutes (primary endpoint) as well as at 6 and 10 minutes (secondary endpoints) in the three treatment groups was analyzed using logistic regression analysis, taking into account gender, age, type of intervention, severity of bleeding, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heparin coating of the ePTFE graft, and platelet inhibitors. RESULTS: There were substantial differences in the proportion of subjects who achieved hemostasis at the study suture line at 4 minutes from treatment application between FS-120 (62.5%) and control (34.8%) groups (a 79.6% relative improvement). Logistic regression analyses found a statistically significant treatment effect at the 10% level in the odds ratio (OR) of achieving hemostasis at 4 minutes between the FS-120 and control groups (OR = 3.98, p = 0.0991). Furthermore, it has been shown that the perioperative administration of platelet inhibitors significantly influences (OR = 3.89, p = 0.0607) hemostasis rates at the primary endpoint. No statistically significant treatment effects were found for the other factors. Logistic regression analyses performed on the secondary endpoints demonstrated a significant treatment effect of achieving hemostasis at 6 minutes (OR = 9.92, p = 0.0225) and at 10 minutes (OR = 6.70, p = 0.0708) between the FS-120 and control groups. Statistically significant effects in the logistic regression analyses were found at the 10% level in the OR of achieving hemostasis at 6 and 10 minutes, respectively, for the following factors: FS-120 versus control group (OR = 9.92; p = 0.0225 and OR = 6.70; p = 0.0708, respectively), type of intervention (OR = 0.3; p = 0.0775 and OR = 0.25; p = 0.0402, respectively), and heparin coating of the ePTFE prosthesis (OR = 4.83; p = 0.0413 and OR = 3.65; p = 0.0911, respectively). FS was safe and well-tolerated, as indicated by the lack of any related serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: The findings from this phase 2 study support the strong safety profile of FS and suggest that it is an efficacious hemostatic agent in ePTFE graft placement surgery, as well as a useful tool in peripheral vascular surgery applications.

Clinical evaluation to determine the appropriate paediatric formulation of a tick-borne encephalitis vaccine.

Two dose-finding studies and one open label safety study with a paediatric FSME-IMMUN formulation were conducted in children and adolescents aged 1-15 years (N=3697). The 1.2 microg antigen dose was identified as the optimal dose, inducing high seroconversion rates following the primary vaccination series. Adolescents (aged 12-15 years) vaccinated with the optimal paediatric dose (1.2 microg) attained similarly high seroprotective rates to adults (aged 16-35 years) vaccinated with the 2.4 microg formulation of FSME-IMMUN. We concluded that the FSME-IMMUN paediatric vaccine formulation is safe and highly immunogenic, not only for children <12 years, but also for adolescents <16 years.

Comparison of immunogenicity and safety between two paediatric TBE vaccines.

TBE vaccination strategies capable of inducing strong paediatric immunogenicity and acceptable reactogenicity are still under evaluation. This single-blind, multi-center, randomized, controlled, phase III clinical study compared the immunogenicity and safety of the two paediatric TBE vaccines available in Europe (FSME-IMMUN Junior and Encepur Children) following administration of two doses of either vaccine in 303 children aged 1-11 years. Regardless of immunological test or viral antigen used, immunological responses were consistently higher in children vaccinated with FSME-IMMUN Junior than those vaccinated with Encepur Children. FSME-IMMUN Junior is also non-inferior to Encepur Children, with respect to NT seropositivity rates (p<0.0001). Systemic reaction rates were low and similar between the vaccines. However, among children aged 7-11 years, local reactions were significantly higher after the first (p<0.01) and second (p<0.001) vaccination with Encepur Children than with FSME-IMMUN Junior, affecting half the children in the former group: 22.4% and 10.2% with FSME-IMMUN Junior vs. 49.0% and 51.0% for Encepur Children.

A cell culture (Vero)-derived H5N1 whole-virus vaccine induces cross-reactive memory responses.

Novel strategies are required to provide rapid vaccine coverage in the event of an influenza pandemic. A phase I/II dose finding/formulation study was performed with a whole-virus H5N1 clade 1 A/Vietnam vaccine (2-dose priming regimen) to evaluate safety and immunogenicity. Seventy-seven of 141 subjects in this study received a booster (12-17 months after priming) with a 7.5-microg dose of a clade 2.1 A/Indonesia vaccine. The prime-boost regimen resulted in antibody responses against clade 1, 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 viruses that were significantly higher than those after the priming regimen. These findings demonstrate that a prime-boost regimen may alleviate vaccine supply constraints in a pandemic.

Seropersistence of tick-borne encephalitis antibodies, safety and booster response to FSME-IMMUN 0.5 ml in adults aged 18-67 years.

A clinical study was carried out to evaluate the persistence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) antibodies 2 and 3 years after a primary vaccination series (three-dose regimen), and to assess the antibody response to a booster vaccination with FSME-IMMUN. Volunteers (N = 347, 18-67 years) who had received two doses of either FSME-IMMUN or Encepur adults and a third vaccination with FSME-IMMUN were enrolled. Seropositivity rates were assessed by ELISA and neutralization test (NT). After the primary series, seropositivity rates were 99.1% as determined by ELISA and 100% by NT, decreasing to 85% and 96.8% in the first two years and to 88.7% and 95.4% after 3 years. Following booster vaccination, 100% of subjects were seropositive. Age was the only variable with a significant influence on the probability of remaining TBE seropositive 2 or 3 years after the third vaccination. In subjects aged 18-50 years, the pre-booster seropositivity rate was higher (88.7% and 92.3% after 2 and 3 years, respectively) than in those aged 51-67 years (65.5% and 70.9% after 2 and 3 years, respectively). Adverse events after booster vaccination occurred with a low frequency and were predominantly mild. An annual TBE antibody decline rate of 0.58 (based on NT) was estimated to lead to antibody titer decrease from e.g., 260 to 45.6 after 3 years. To conclude, a booster vaccination with FSME-IMMUN, administered 3 years after primary vaccination, is well tolerated and induces a

A clinical trial of a whole-virus H5N1 vaccine derived from cell culture.

BACKGROUND: Widespread infections of avian species with avian influenza H5N1 virus and its limited spread to humans suggest that the virus has the potential to cause a human influenza pandemic. An urgent need exists for an H5N1 vaccine that is effective against divergent strains of H5N1 virus. METHODS: In a randomized, dose-escalation, phase 1 and 2 study involving six subgroups, we investigated the safety of an H5N1 whole-virus vaccine produced on Vero cell cultures and determined its ability to induce antibodies capable of neutralizing various H5N1 strains. In two visits 21 days apart, 275 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 45 years received two doses of vaccine that each contained 3.75 microg, 7.5 microg, 15 microg, or 30 microg of hemagglutinin antigen with alum adjuvant or 7.5 microg or 15 microg of hemagglutinin antigen without adjuvant. Serologic analysis was performed at baseline and on days 21 and 42. RESULTS: The vaccine induced a neutralizing immune response not only against the clade 1 (A/Vietnam/1203/2004) virus strain but also against the clade 2 and 3 strains. The use of adjuvants did not improve the antibody response. Maximum responses to the vaccine strain were obtained with formulations containing 7.5 microg and 15 microg of hemagglutinin antigen without adjuvant. Mild pain at the injection site (in 9 to 27% of subjects) and headache (in 6 to 31% of subjects) were the most common adverse events identified for all vaccine formulations. CONCLUSIONS: A two-dose vaccine regimen of either 7.5 microg or 15 microg of hemagglutinin antigen without adjuvant induced neutralizing antibodies against diverse H5N1 virus strains in a high percentage of subjects, suggesting that this may be a useful H5N1 vaccine. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00349141.)

Efficacy, safety and tolerability of a new 10% liquid intravenous immune globulin [IGIV 10%] in patients with primary immunodeficiency.

The present clinical study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics and safety of a new 10% liquid intravenous immune globulin in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. Sixty-one adults and children with primary immuno-deficiency diseases received doses of 300-600 mg/kg body weight every 21-28 days for 12 months. No validated acute serious bacterial infections were reported. The 95% confidence interval for the annualized rate of acute serious bacterial infections (primary endpoint) was 0-0.060. A total of four predefined validated other bacterial infections commonly occurring in primary immunodeficiency disease subjects were observed; none were serious, severe or resulted in hospitalization. The median elimination half-life of IgG was 35 days. Median total IgG trough levels varied from 9.6 to 11.2 g/L. Temporally associated adverse experiences were determined for 72 h after each infusion and the most common adverse experience was headache, which was associated with 6.9% of infusions. The study met the primary endpoint for efficacy and demonstrated excellent tolerability of the new 10% liquid intravenous imunoglobulin preparation.

Academic mothers have a pronounced seasonal variation in their offspring sex ratio.

OBJECTIVES: Environmental and socio-demographic factors can influence the variation of the human sex ratio at birth (SRB = the ratio of males to males plus females). In particular, findings of seasonal, parental education, birth order, and maternal age effects on the SRB are not always in agreement, and a number of works report minimal variation. SETTING: Here, we investigated the seasonality of SRB in academic and non-academic mothers employed at the University of Vienna, and who gave birth between 1963 and 2000 (n = 1932 births). METHODS: All data were available from an anonymous employee database. RESULTS: Both groups, academic and non-academic mothers do not differ between their overall SRB. In academic mothers the SRB is significantly (P = 0.004) increased during the springtime and decreased during the summertime. Although in non-academic mothers the trend is comparable, it is far less pronounced and not significant (P = 0.345). When a multiple logistic model was applied to the data of academic mothers the only significant influencing factor on the SRB is the season, while birth order of children and mothers' age at childbirth has no effect. None of the three independent variables influence the SRB in non-academic mothers. MAIN FINDINGS: These findings suggest a more flexible SRB rate in academic mothers than in non-academics within the seasons. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the significant seasonal variation of the SRB in academic women cannot be merely interpreted as an effect of socio-economic status but more likely as the interaction between socio-economic and environmental working conditions.