Preliminary Evaluation of the Safety and Immunogenicity of a Novel Protein-Based Pneumococcal Vaccine in Healthy Adults Aged 18-49: A Phase Ia Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

Background: Protein-based pneumococcal vaccines (PBPVs) may offer expanded protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae and tackle the antimicrobial resistance crisis in pneumococcal infections. This study examined the safety and immunogenicity in healthy adults vaccinated with three doses of a protein-based pneumococcal vaccine containing pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) (PRX1, P3296 and P5668) and in combination with a recombinant detoxified pneumolysin protein (PlyLD). Methods: This phase Ia randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study enrolled healthy adults aged 18-49 years. The participants were randomized into experimental (low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose) and placebo groups in a ratio of 3:1. Three doses of investigational vaccine were given to the participants with an interval of two months. Safety endpoints included the occurrence of total adverse reactions, solicited local and systemic adverse reactions, unsolicited adverse reactions, serious adverse events (SAEs), and several laboratory parameters. Immunogenicity endpoints included geometric mean titers (GMT) of anti-PspA (PRX1, P3296 and P5668) and anti-PlyLD antibodies level as determined by ELISA, seropositivity rates of PspA and PlyLD antibodies (>4-fold increase) and neutralization activity of anti-Ply antibody in serum. Results: A total of 118 participants completed the study of three doses. The candidate PBPV was safe and well-tolerated in all experimental groups. No vaccine-related SAEs were observed in this study. Most solicited adverse reactions were mild and transient. The most frequently reported solicited adverse reactions in the medium- and high-dose groups was pain at the injection site, while in the low-dose group it was elevated blood pressure. The immunogenicity data showed a sharp increase in the GMT level of anti-PspA-RX1, anti-PspA-3296, anti-PspA-5668, and anti-PlyLD antibodies in serum. The results also showed that the elicited antibodies were dosage-dependent. The high-dose group showed a higher immune response against PspA-RX1, PspA-3296, PspA-5668, and PlyLD antigens. However, repeat vaccination did not increase the level of anti-PspA antibodies but the level of anti-PlyLD antibody. High seropositivity rates were also observed for anti-PspA-RX1, anti-PspA-3296, anti-PspA-5668, and anti-PlyLD antibodies. In addition, a significant difference in the GMT levels of anti-Ply antibody between the high-, medium-, and low-dose groups post each vaccination were indicated by neutralization activity tests. Conclusions: The PBPV showed a safe and immunogenic profile in this clinical trial. Taking into consideration both safety and immunogenicity data, we propose a single dose of 50 mu g (medium dose) of PBPV as the optimum approach in providing expanded protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae.