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NCT05272735TerminatedPhase 4

HBV Vaccination of Healthy Volunteers to Evaluate the Composition of Germinal Centers

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 16 Apr 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

Antibodies are the primary mediators of the protection against infection provided by vaccination. Antibodies become most powerful after the B cells that produce them undergo an evolutionary process called affinity maturation, in which antibodies increase their ability to bind to their targets, and thus neutralize pathogens. Affinity maturation occurs in structures within secondary lymphoid organs (for example lymph nodes or tonsils) known as germinal centers. Germinal centers are well known to be triggered by the first dose of vaccines, generating affinity matured plasma cells (B cells that secrete antibody into serum) and memory B cells, which can be converted into plasma cells by booster doses of vaccine. However, it is not fully understood the extent to which memory B cells can return to germinal centers again upon vaccine boosting. Such return would be very important to allow B cells, for example, to adapt to emerging variants of viruses such as influenza or SARS-CoV-2. This study will involve acquiring samples of B cells from germinal centers that form in response to vaccination with the highly effective hepatitis B vaccine. These cells will be analyzed to determine what fraction of them are memory B cells that returned to germinal centers upon boosting, information that is key to knowledge of how vaccine boosters work. Understanding the "rules" that govern how and when memory B cells choose to return to germinal centers in an effective vaccine such hepatitis B could help efforts to develop effective vaccination against more challenging, rapidly mutating viruses, such as influenza, HIV, and hepatitis C.

Status (registry)
Terminated
Phase (registry)
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
9 (actual)
First submitted
28 Feb 2022
Start date
10 Dec 2022
Primary completion date
29 Sept 2025
Lead sponsor
Rockefeller University
Diseases
Hepatitis B
NCT number
NCT05272735

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Prior treatment

  • Any clinically relevant abnormality on history or examination, including history of immunodeficiency or autoimmune disease; use of systemic corticosteroids (the use of topical or inhaled steroids is permitted), immunosuppressive, anticancer, antituberculosis or other medications considered significant by the Investigator within the previous 6 months; Note: The following exceptions are permitted and will not exclude study participation: use of corticosteroid nasal spray for rhinitis, topical corticosteroids for an acute uncomplicated dermatitis; or a short course (duration of 10 days or less, or a single injection) of corticosteroid for a non-chronic condition (based on Investigator clinical judgment) at least 2 weeks prior to enrollment in this study
  • Receipt of live attenuated or mRNA vaccine within the previous 30 days or planned receipt within 30 days after IP administration; or receipt of other vaccine within the previous 14 days or planned receipt within 14 days after IP administration
  • Participation in another clinical trial of an investigational product currently, within the previous 3 months or expected participation during this study

Other illness

  • HBV seropositivity (e.g. HBsAb, HBcAb or HBeAb)
  • HIV infection
  • Chronic HCV infection
  • History of allergic reaction to any components of the HBV vaccine
  • History of significant local or systemic reactogenicity to vaccines (eg, anaphylaxis, respiratory difficulties, angioedema, injection site necrosis or ulceration)
  • Any clinically significant acute or chronic medical condition that is considered progressive or in the opinion of the Investigator makes the volunteer unsuitable for participation in the study

Lab values

  • Bleeding disorder that was diagnosed by a physician (eg, factor deficiency, coagulopathy or platelet disorder that requires special precautions)
  • Laboratory abnormalities:
    • Platelets <125,000 cells/mm3 PT/INR >1.3 PTT > 2 x ULN

Other

  • Pregnancy or lactation

Who the study is looking for

  • Males and females
  • Age 18-50 years Note: The HBV vaccine dose will be adjusted according to the Package Insert for participants who are 18 and 19 years of age.
  • No prior history of HBV infection or vaccination.

Age in the registry: 18 years to 50 years · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Save your city in your profile to sort them by distance.

SiteCityCountrySite status
The Rockefeller University
Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status
New YorkUnited StatesUnknown status

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.