Clinical Research Directory

DMID 23-0015; Lassa Fever CVD 1000

This study proposes the evaluation of a novel, first-in-human Lassa fever vaccine based on the complete Lassa glycoprotein complex (GPC) antigen. The antigen will be presented on a genetically modified and attenuated rabies vector expressing both the rabies glycoprotein (GP) antigen and the Lassa GPC. The inactivated chimeric virus is delivered with a toll-like receptor (TLR-4)-activating oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant. Studies using this vaccine administered as a prime-boost series in mice and non-human primates, and then challenged with Lassa virus demonstrated significant protection against Lassa fever. Given that the vaccine backbone is an attenuated and inactivated rabies virus expressing rabies GP, this vaccine will also be evaluated for immunogenicity against rabies virus.

ARN-75039 Lassa Fever Treatment in West Africa

This multicenter, randomized, open-label Phase 2 clinical trial evaluates the safety, tolerability, and virologic efficacy of ARN-75039, a novel oral antiviral, for treating Lassa fever in hospitalized adults in West Africa. The study is conducted within the INTEGRATE platform and compares two oral dose regimens of ARN-75039 (100 mg BID and 50 mg BID) with intravenous ribavirin, the locally mandated standard of care. Approximately 135 participants with RT-PCR-confirmed Lassa virus infection will be enrolled and randomized 1:1:1 to receive ARN-75039 high dose, ARN-75039 low dose, or ribavirin for 10 days, followed by safety and efficacy follow-up through Day 28. The primary objectives are to assess safety and tolerability and to evaluate antiviral activity, as measured by the change in slope of Lassa virus RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values from Day 1 to Day 10, in participants with low baseline viral load Ct values. Secondary objectives include additional virologic, pharmacokinetic, and clinical outcome assessments, including time to viral clearance, symptom resolution, organ failure, and mortality. ARN-75039 is a small-molecule viral entry inhibitor targeting the Lassa virus glycoprotein complex and has demonstrated potent antiviral activity and favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles in preclinical models and Phase 1 clinical studies. This study aims to inform dose selection and support further clinical development of ARN-75039 as a potential treatment for Lassa fever.

ISTH/ANRS 0409s INTEGRATE Lassa Fever Study

Lassa fever (LF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever responsible of 5000 deaths per year in West Africa, with in-hospital mortality at 12%. Transmission to humans occurs mainly via direct or indirect exposure to excreta from the rodent reservoir, mainly made up of Mastomys natalensis . Less frequently, LASV may also be transmitted from human to human and cause nosocomial outbreaks. Ribavirin is the only treatment available with worrying toxicity, questionable efficacy and low access because of its high cost. Consequently, there is an urgent need for new drugs to treat LF patients. The Research and Development (R\&D) Blueprint of the World Health Organization (WHO) has included LF in the list of priority diseases for urgent research and development. The INTEGRATE consortium is an unprecedented international collaboration on Lassa fever of 15 partners from 10 countries across West Africa, Europe and North America and across several disciplines (epidemiological researchers, social scientists, medical health facility professionals, humanitarian actors, etc.).

A Lassa Fever Vaccine Trial in Adults and Children Residing in West Africa

A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of rVSV∆G-LASV-GPC Vaccine in Adults and Children Residing in West Africa

LAssa Fever Adjunct Treatment With DEXamethasone

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid which can modulate inflammatory-mediated tissue damage associated with a wide range of infectious diseases. Dexamethasone is routinely used for treatment of tuberculous meningitis and for pneumococcal meningitis in adults. In Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) dexamethasone is also effectively preventing immune mediated damage of the lungs. There is also indication that dexamethasone may be promising in severe LF.

Lassa Fever Clinical Course and Prognostic Factors in Nigeria

The investigators propose to conduct a nationwide (Nigeria), prospective, non-interventional cohort study describing the clinical course, biological characteristics, case management and outcomes in patients hospitalized for a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Lassa fever in tertiary medical facilities situated in the most affected Nigerian states. Special focuses will be made on situations at risk of bad outcome such as pregnancies, acute kidney injury and electrolytic imbalance in patients with confirmed Lassa fever. Participants for which the diagnosis of Lassa fever will be finally excluded by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) will constitute the control group.