Immunogenicity and Safety Following 1 Dose of AS01E-Adjuvanted Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine in Older Adults: A Phase 3 Trial

J Infect Dis. 2024 Jul 25;230(1):e102-e110. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiad546.

Abstract

Background: The recently approved AS01E-adjuvanted respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein-based vaccine for older adults (RSVPreF3 OA) demonstrated high efficacy against RSV-related disease in ≥60-year-olds.

Methods: This ongoing phase 3 study in ≥60-year-olds evaluates immune persistence until 3 years after RSVPreF3 OA vaccination. Here, we describe interim results on humoral and cell-mediated immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety until 1 year post-dose 1.

Results: In total, 1653 participants were vaccinated. One month post-dose 1, neutralization titers increased 10.5-fold (RSV-A) and 7.8-fold (RSV-B) vs pre-dose 1. Titers then declined to levels 4.4-fold (RSV-A) and 3.5-fold (RSV-B) above pre-dose 1 at month 6 and remained 3.1-fold (RSV-A) and 2.3-fold (RSV-B) above pre-dose 1 levels after 1 year. RSVPreF3-binding immunoglobulin G levels and CD4+ T-cell frequencies showed similar kinetics. Solicited administration-site and systemic adverse events (mostly mild to moderate and transient) were reported by 62.2% and 49.5% of participants. Serious adverse events were reported by 3.9% of participants within 6 months post-dose 1; 1 case was considered vaccine related.

Conclusions: One RSVPreF3 OA dose elicited cell-mediated and RSV-A- and RSV-B-specific humoral immune responses that declined over time but remained above pre-dose 1 levels for at least 1 year. The vaccine was well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04732871 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Keywords: immunogenicity; older adults; phase 3 study; respiratory syncytial virus; safety.

Plain language summary

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of illness and hospitalization in older adults. An RSV vaccine for older adults developed by GSK was recently approved. The vaccine was well tolerated and provided protection against RSV disease in adults aged ≥60 years during at least 1 RSV season. In this ongoing study, we are evaluating the magnitude and durability of the immune response, as well as vaccine safety, until 3 years after vaccination of adults aged ≥60 years from 5 countries. Here, we report the results of an interim analysis until 1 year after vaccination with 1 dose. In total, 1653 participants were vaccinated. We found that the vaccine induced a strong immune response that was evident 1 month after vaccination, after which it declined but persisted for at least 1 year. Study participants most often reported pain at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, and headache as adverse reactions, which were mostly mild to moderate and of short duration. One serious adverse reaction was considered related to the vaccine. The long-term immune response that was observed in this study is consistent with the vaccine providing protection during at least 1 RSV season.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral* / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunogenicity, Vaccine
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / immunology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines* / adverse effects
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines* / immunology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human* / immunology
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Viral Fusion Proteins
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • F protein, human respiratory syncytial virus
  • Adjuvants, Vaccine

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04732871