Clinical Research Directory

"Facts Tell… and With Stories Sell?" Combining Viewer-tailored Personal Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Narrative Video With HPV Vaccine Information Video to Improve HPV Vaccine Uptake

This study will compare the use of informational videos only, personal story videos only, and the combination of both, to see which is most effective in increasing HPV vaccination.

Can Stories Encourage the Elderly to Vaccinate? Combining Viewer-tailored Personal Narrative Videos With Informational Videos to Improve Vaccine Uptake Among Older Adults

This study will compare the use of informational videos only, personal story videos only, and the combination of both, to see which is most effective in increasing vaccination among older adults.

Phase 3 Maternal Safety & Immunogenicity Trial of MVA-BN® in DRC

This Phase 3 open-label study aims to assess the safety and immune response of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine when administered subcutaneously to pregnant and postpartum women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a population at high risk of mpox infection. The study will be conducted in Boende, Tshuapa Province, DRC. A total of 359 maternal participants, aged 16 to 35 and in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive two subcutaneous doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, given 28 days apart, either during pregnancy (Maternal Group 1) or within 72 hours after delivery (Maternal Group 2). Additionally, pregnant women in any trimester who have been recently exposed to a confirmed mpox case will be enrolled in the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) arm (Maternal Group 3), receiving the vaccine as soon as possible after exposure-ideally within four days but up to 14 days if they remain asymptomatic. The study will evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, and immune responses of vaccinated pregnant women compared to healthy adults in the POX-MVA-045 study (NCT06549530) through non-inferiority analyses. Participants will be monitored for immunogenicity and safety for 13 months post-delivery, while neonates will be observed for safety over the same period. The trial will also compare outcomes between women vaccinated during pregnancy and those vaccinated postpartum, assess the transfer of maternal immunity to neonates, and explore correlations between maternal antibody levels in serum and breast milk. This study seeks to provide strong evidence supporting the safety and immunogenicity of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine in pregnancy, contributing to global public health efforts to protect at-risk women and their infants in mpox-endemic regions.

Kaiser Colorado Flu Nudge

Influenza infection leads to significant morbidity and mortality each year. Influenza vaccines can reduce the risk of flu and the severity of flu illness, In addition, flu vaccinations can reduce flu complications such as pneumonia or worsening of chronic heart or lung disease. Each year, Kaiser Permanente of Colorado offers influenza vaccines to patients at no cost either at primary care clinic appointments or flu walk-in clinics in the fall prior to the upcoming flu season. In addition, as part of clinic appointment reminder text messages, there is a message to get the flu vaccine for patients who have not received the vaccine prior to the clinic visit. Building on these flu reminder text messages for patients who have not received a flu vaccine, this study will test different behavioral nudge text messages to improve influenza vaccination rates.

Vaccine Responses to SARS-CoV-2 and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases

Background: Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, have been highly effective against preventing severe disease. But the protective effects of these vaccines appear to wane over time. Researchers want to learn why. Objective: To learn more about how the immune system responds to vaccines against infections like SARS-CoV-2. Eligibility: Healthy adults ages 18 or older who are scheduled to receive either a new vaccine or a booster shot against SARS-COV-2 or another emerging infection. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and blood and urine tests. Participants will have up to 8 study visits in 1 year. Each visit should last less than 2 hours. At each visit, participants will give blood samples. Some blood samples will be used for genetic testing. They will also give updates on their health. After the first study visit, participants will receive either a first vaccination or a booster shot. They must get the vaccine in their community or workplace. They will not get the vaccine at NIH. This study currently focuses on SARS-CoV-2, but it will expand to other infectious diseases as they emerge and become the target of new vaccines. ...

Investigating Gender and Sex Differences in Immune Responses Through Vaccination of Transgender and Cisgender Persons

Sexual differences are a well-established source of biological variation in immune system functioning, with men often displaying lower adaptive immune responses (e.g. antibody production) to infections and vaccinations compared to women. The impact of sex and gender on immune responses and immune functioning warrants more in-depth investigation. This study is an investigator-initiated project aimed at prospectively assessing the immune response towards a vaccine in transgender and cisgender individuals. Transgender individuals retain their chromosomal sex while undergoing a significant hormonal shift that aligns with their experienced gender. Immune responses induced by the four-component meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB; Bexsero®) vaccine will be evaluated in transgender individuals and compared with responses observed in cisgender individuals. Both humoral and cellular immune responses induced by two doses of the 4CMenB vaccine will be quantified and analysed. This approach is expected to provide new insights into the effects of gender and sex differences on innate and adaptive immune responses.

ARISe at UMass Chan

The goal is to identify the most impactful strategies for capturing attention and enhancing effectiveness of vaccine promotion messages. This will be done using an online survey that employs remote eye-tracking and self report measures to evaluate response to sample vaccine promotion social media content in rural populations in New England. Participants will be randomly assigned into one of 14 conditions in a 2(source: expert vs. influencer) by 7 (themes: constructs from 7C Vaccine Framework) experiment and view sample messages and then answer questions about their attitudes and beliefs while being monitored for eye-tracking.

Neutralizing Power of Serum Antibodies - 2

Severe forms of COVID-19 and Monkeypox affect immunocompromised and comorbid individuals. Vaccination and monoclonal antibody therapies induce neutralizing antibodies. This neutralizing power is recognized as a correlate of protection against a new infection. This study aims to describe the neutralizing power of serum and nasal antibodies over time, in relation to SARS-CoV-2 and MPXV vaccines or treatments received.

Pandemic Influenza Vaccine in Organ Transplantation (PIVOT Trial)

Influenza is an important pathogen in transplant recipients. The current widespread outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock, and the occurrence of several human cases of infection suggest that the next influenza pandemic may be soon approaching. Transplant patients will likely be uniquely predisposed to serious infection with high morbidity and mortality. There are a number of important reasons that evaluation of prevention strategies are critical in this highly vulnerable population. Currently, there is no data on the immunogenicity of H5Nx vaccines in this highly vulnerable population. The investigators plan to study the safety and immunogenicity of a two-dose regimen of the pandemic influenza H5N1 vaccine in organ transplant patients.

Testing a Biometric Identification System to Improve Malaria Vaccine Completion

Receiving all four doses of the malaria vaccine can significantly protect children against malaria illness, hospitalization, and death. However, in Ghana, only 46% of children complete the full vaccination sequence. More broadly, many children in Ghana do not receive the full set of recommended pediatric vaccinations. To address this, Simprints, in collaboration with Ghana Health Services, will implement a digital vaccination record system linked to biometrics. This system will automatically identify children who are behind on their vaccination schedule, providing health workers with information to prioritize community outreach. Additionally, it will send voice message reminders to caregivers to improve compliance. A cluster-randomized controlled trial (c-RCT) will be conducted in the Oti region to measure the impact of this innovation on the proportion of children completing malaria and routine vaccination schedules.

VITAL: Vaccination, Immunity, Time-restricted Eating, Aging and Lifestyle

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a four-week time-restricted eating (TRE) intervention on autophagy, immune function, and vaccine response to a seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines in older healthy subjects.

Phase 3 Infant Safety & Immunogenicity Trial of MVA-BN® in DRC

This Phase 3 double-blinded, randomized study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the two-dose MVA-BN mpox vaccine regimen, administered subcutaneously, in infants and children aged 4 to 24 months in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a population at high risk of mpox infection and complications. The study will compare the safety and immunogenicity of a full-dose regimen versus a half-dose regimen in this population. A hierarchical testing strategy will be applied as follows: first, non-inferiority of the full-dose regimen in infants/children (4-24 months old) will be evaluated against the full-dose regimen in adults from the POX-MVA-045 study. If non-inferiority is demonstrated, the immunogenicity of the half dose in infants/children (4-24 months old) will subsequently be tested for non-inferiority vs the full dose in adult. The trial will be conducted in Boende, Tshuapa Province, DRC. The trial plans to enroll 344 male and female infants/children, who will be randomized to receive two doses of the MVA-BN vaccine administered 28 days apart. Participants in Child Group 1 (N=172) will receive the standard vaccine dose (0.5 mL), while those in Child Group 2 (N=172) will receive half the standard dose (0.25 mL), with both groups following the same dosing schedule. This study builds on positive safety and immunogenicity data from prior trials that support the use of the standard dose regimen in younger children. However, considering the developmental differences in the immune systems of infants and young children/adolescents, it aims to evaluate whether a half-dose regimen can provide similar immunogenicity while potentially reducing reactogenicity. The findings will offer valuable insights into the optimal dosing strategy for this age group, balancing safety and immunogenicity to inform future vaccination recommendations.

Vaccination With Autologous Dendritic Cells Loaded With Autologous Tumour Homogenate in Glioblastoma

Single arm, monocentric trial to assess the safety and the progression-free survival related to the combined treatment of dendritic cell vaccine loaded with autologous tumor homogenate and temozolomide in patients operated for glioblastoma and then treated with standard radiochemotherapy (according to Stupp regimen).

Pediatric Vaccinations

As the Covid-19 pandemic hit New York City in the spring of 2020, many families were home-bound due to the city-wide lockdown. As a result, families in New York City were unable to attend their child's healthcare appointments and many young children did not receive their regularly-scheduled vaccinations. Parts of the city-wide lockdown did eventually lift in the summer of 2020 as positive Covid-19 virus rates declined in NYC. However, regularly scheduled vaccination rates (non-Covid-related) remain low. Yet, it is critical that young children receive their mandatory vaccines in a timely manner to decrease the chance of contracting preventable illnesses. Thus, the investigators seek to increase vaccination rates among children ages 0-2 years in Sunset Park Brooklyn.

Can the Ergometric Test in Flu-like Syndrome Help in the Outcome Analysis of Unvaccinated Patients

During the flu-like syndrome, the cardiovascular risk is increased, especially in the elderly. Understanding whether blood pressure assessment during an exercise test can aid in the understanding of patient outcomes, thereby improving prognostic ability in clinical practice, is the focus of the present study. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the hemodynamic response of adults with flu-like symptoms, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, and to conduct a 30-day follow-up for assessment. Patients who are indicated for an ergometric test and present with flu-like syndrome will be selected. We will inquire about their vaccination history and perform the ergometric test to evaluate test duration, arrhythmias, and ischemias

Meningococcal Vaccination in Patients on Complement Inhibitors

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neurological disorder caused by autoantibodies directed predominantly against components of the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. Anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-associated neuromyelitis optica (AQP4-IgG) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by three main clinical manifestations: transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, and postrema area syndrome. Over the past five years, the FDA and EMA have approved complement inhibitor drugs for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis with anti-AChR antibody positivity and for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with anti-AQP4 antibody positivity. Eculizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the C5 fragment of the human complement specifically and with high affinity, inhibiting its cleavage in C5a and C5b and preventing the formation of the membrane attachment C5b-9 complex (MAC) of the terminal portion of the complement cascade. This monoclonal antibody maintains the early components of complement activation (C3b), which are essential for the opsonization of microorganisms and the clearance of immune complexes. Ravulizumab is a monoclonal antibody derived from eculizumab, through the substitution of four specific amino acids, which binds specifically to complement protein C5. These substitutions increase the dissociation of the monoclonal antibody from the C5 fragment within the endosome and promote the recycling of the neonatal Fc receptor-mediated unbound antibody, extending its half-life and duration of action up to an interval of 8 weeks. Zilucoplan is a synthetic macrocyclic peptide composed of 15 amino acids that specifically binds the complement protein C5, inhibiting its cleavage into C5a and C5b by C5 convertase, which results in an underregulation of MAC assembly and cytolytic activity. In addition, this drug binds the C5b fraction of C5, creating a steric encumbrance for the binding of C5b to C6 and preventing subsequent assembly of the MAC if any C5b is formed. Due to their mechanism of action, eculizumab, ravulizumab and zilucoplan result in an increased susceptibility of the patient to systemic infections by encapsulated bacteria (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, N. meningitidis). To reduce the risk of infection, all patients should be vaccinated against serogroups A, B, C, W, Y at least 2 weeks prior to treatment; patients who start treatment before 2 weeks after administration of meningococcal vaccines should be given appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis for up to 2 weeks after vaccination. Currently, there is no global agreement on the vaccination schedule to be followed after the first dose. According to Italian guidelines, a booster dose is recommended for the monovalent vaccine only at least 1 month after the first administration and a period of antibiotic prophylaxis beyond the first two weeks after the first doses is not indicated. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the antibody titles after tetravalent meningococcal vaccination (serogroups A, C, W, Y) in patients candidate to complement inhibitors therapy.

Effect of Using Educational Robots During Vaccination on Fear and Pain in Children

Pain and fear are very common in children during vaccination. We are planning to conduct a study to help children go through this process more comfortably. The aim is to examine whether the educational robot has an effect on pain and fear during vaccination in 4-year-old children in a randomized controlled manner.

Dengue Vaccine Strategy in Children Aged 9 to 17 Years in the French Caribbean

Dengue fever, an arbovirus transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, is a public health problem in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. There is currently no antiviral treatment and vector control has shown its limits. The 2018 European marketing authorization of the tetravalent chimeric yellow fever / dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia®) is a major step forward in the fight against the disease. Dengvaxia® is indicated for the prevention of dengue due to serotypes DENV 1-4 in subjects aged 9 to 45 years with a history of infection with the dengue virus and living in endemic areas (seroprevalence of at least 70% in the target population). Dengue seroprevalence data in the French Caribbean territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe dates back to 2011 and concerns only adult blood donors aged 18 to 70 years. To date, no data exists for individuals aged 9 to 17 years in the region. In order to implement an optimal vaccine introduction strategy for these territories, the main aim of the DengueSEA study is to estimate the seroprevalence of the Dengue viruses (DENV 1-4) in 9-17 year olds giving a blood sample as part of care in hospital departments of the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

CARD for Community Pharmacy Vaccinations - Phase 2

This study is phase 2 of a cluster trial integrating the CARD (Comfort Ask Relax System) in community pharmacies affiliated with Wholehealth Pharmacy Partners. It involves continuing CARD in pharmacies randomized to CARD in phase 1 of the trial (2023-2024 fall/winter vaccination season), and initiating CARD in pharmacies randomized to Control (usual care) in phase 1 of the trial. Both groups will use CARD for delivery of vaccinations during the 2024-2025 fall/winter vaccination season.

A Phase II Study on Adjuvant Vaccination with Dendritic Cells Loaded with Autologous Tumor Homogenate in Resected Stage IV Rare Cancers.

Single-arm, monocentric trial to assess safety and immunological efficacy of adjuvant vaccination with autologous dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumour homogenate after curative resection for stage IV rare cancers (In Head/Neck tumors (H\&N), NEuroendocrine Tumors (NET) and Soft Tissue Sarcomas (STS).

Implementation and Evaluation of Tailored Interventions to Increase MMR and/or HPV Vaccine

The goal of the study is to monitor and evaluate the implementation of interventions that aim to increase HPV \& MMR vaccines among underserved communities across four European countries: Greece, Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia. The interventions will target identified health systems barriers in an earlier phase of the project. The interventions that will be implemented employ trusted community members as health promotors whom will provide educational sessions on HPV and MMR vaccination to the target groups. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of vaccine uptake strategies for the target groups is being evaluated. The main research question is: to what extent is the multicomponent tailored intervention effective to increase MMR/HPV intention and vaccine uptake in the target population in Greece, Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia?

COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Recurrent Infection Among Lung Cancer Patients and Biomarker Research

A prospective, open-label and parallel non-randomized control trial and biomarker research study is intended to compare incidence of repeated COVID-19 infection, severe pneumonitis and mortality between lung cancer patients undergoing systemic antitumor therapies who get vaccinated with 1 booster dose(majorly against XBB) and those who refuse. Meanwhile, a biomarker research is designed to monitor serum level dynamics of specific antibodies against COVID-19,analyze its correlation with incidence of breakthrough infection and further explore optimal periods for vaccination.

Post-Vaccination Biological Collection

Introduction: Vaccination is a powerful weapon in the fight against infectious diseases, which has led to dramatic reduction in mortality and complications from some diseases. In this respect, vaccination is a real worldwide public health challenge (WHO). Thus, vaccine research benefits from an exponential development of knowledge in immunology and biotechnology. In particular, the advent of recent tools ("omics", new cytometric assays) and the description of new categories of immune cells (Tfh, BReg...) have revolutionized the characterization of immune responses, particularly post-vaccination. To study of the immune response following vaccination remains essential in order to define the immunological correlates to vaccine protection. This response also varies according to parameters related to the vaccine (type, adjuvant, dose, regimen…) and to the vaccinated host (genetics, age, morbidity, treatment …). Analyzing with new generation immune assays, new data on immunological responses post-vaccination from a clinical cohort is therefore essential to better define these correlates. Objective: To develop new vaccines (HIV, emerging infectious diseases) the investigators use a "System vaccinology" method to decipher the mechanisms of immune responses set up against vaccines currently being developed or marketed, specifically in specific populations (patients with primary immune deficiency, sickle cell patients, solid organ transplanted patients, COPD). Method: Description of the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune response to vaccines recommended for adults, in particular influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, but also other mandatory vaccines (MMR,...) or vaccine for travelers (yellow fever, ...) as part of routine care in different population categories (healthy subjects, HIV+ subjects, COPD patients, …), using qualitative and quantitative immunological assays: transcriptional analysis of the dynamic innate immune response, analysis of the lymphocytes B \& T responses (phenotype, repertoire analysis, functional analysis including T reg and TFH populations, antibody response), genetic analysis in the context of primary immune deficiencies) Conclusion: The data generated will allow the best possible analysis of vaccine responses according to vaccines and vaccinated populations, providing important information for the research developed within the department.