Investigating Meningococcal Vaccines in Adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Meningococcal Vaccines in Adults - An exploratory, open-label, immunogenicity study of a licensed meningococcal capsular group B vaccine (4CMenB, Bexsero®) in adults
IRAS ID
172983
Contact name
Andrew Pollard
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In this study we are testing a licensed vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis (known as meningococcus). Meningococcus is carried naturally in the back of the throat (or nasopharynx) in 10-15% of the population. In some situations, the bacteria can overcome the body's defence and infect the lining of the brain (meningitis) or the blood stream (septicaemia). Group B meningococcus (MenB) is the most common type in the UK, where it causes 90% of meningococcal disease (approximately 600 cases per year). Recently new vaccines have been developed against MenB. One of these vaccines, called 4CMenB (or Bexsero®), has been licensed for use in the UK.
Measuring immune responses to vaccines helps us to understand how they work and whether they are likely to protect any individual against infection. We aim to study this by giving a course of the 4CMenB vaccine (two doses) and taking blood tests before and after administration of the vaccine. We are particularly interested in studying the antibodies against one of the proteins in the 4CMenB vaccine – called Factor H binding protein or FHbp. It is thought that antibodies against the FHbp protein an important in protecting against MenB after vaccination. We want to study antibodies to FHbp in detail, to better understand how they contribute to protection against disease. We are also interested in studying if the FHbp protein binds to one of the bodies’ own proteins (called Factor H or FH) and to see if this impacts on the type of antibodies produced after vaccination. Finally, we will study the role that specialised white blood cells (called B Cells and T Cells) play in mounting a good immune response after receiving this vaccine.
This information will help us design new vaccines or modify existing vaccines that are more effective and have fewer unwanted effects in the future.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0172
Date of REC Opinion
8 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion