Safety and Immunogenicity of an Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) gp350-Ferritin Nanoparticle Vaccine in Healthy Adults With or Without EBV Infection

Summary

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes most cases of infectious mononucleosis (mono). Up to 1 in 10 people who get mono can have fatigue that lasts more than 6 months. One out of 100 people can have severe complications. EBV is also associated with several types of cancer. Researchers want to test an EBV vaccine. Objective: To test the safety of and immune response to a new vaccine against EBV. Eligibility: Healthy adults ages 18-29 Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. They will give a blood sample. Screening tests will be repeated during the study. Participants will get a dose of the study vaccine as an injection in a muscle in the upper arm. They will be observed for 30 to 60 minutes. Blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature will be checked. The injection site will be examined. Participants will get a diary card. They will write down any side effects they have after the vaccine dose, or they may use an electronic diary card. Participants will be asked to write down or enter any important medical events that may occur at any time during the study. Participants will get a vaccine dose at 2 more study visits. They will have 4 follow-up visits at different times after a vaccine dose. Participants will have 6 telephone calls in between the in-person visits. They will also have 1 telephone call 1 year after the third dose of vaccine. If possible, this visit can occur in person. Participation will last about 18 months. There is an optional in-person visit or telephone call 2 years after the third dose of vaccine.

Timeline

Start

2022-03-29

Primary completion

2025-07-01

Completion

2026-07-01

Publications

• Background Cohen JI, Fauci AS, Varmus H, Nabel GJ. Epstein-Barr virus: an important vaccine target for cancer prevention. Sci Transl Med. 2011 Nov 2;3(107):107fs7. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3002878.
• Background Cohen JI. Epstein-barr virus vaccines. Clin Transl Immunology. 2015 Jan 23;4(1):e32. doi: 10.1038/cti.2014.27. eCollection 2015 Jan.
• Background Kanekiyo M, Bu W, Joyce MG, Meng G, Whittle JR, Baxa U, Yamamoto T, Narpala S, Todd JP, Rao SS, McDermott AB, Koup RA, Rossmann MG, Mascola JR, Graham BS, Cohen JI, Nabel GJ. Rational Design of an Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine Targeting the Receptor-Binding Site. Cell. 2015 Aug 27;162(5):1090-100. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.07.043. Epub 2015 Aug 13.
• Miskovic R, Jeremic I, Miljanovic D, Cirkovic A, Banko A. How Epstein Barr virus shapes lupus autoimmunity: mechanistic insights and therapeutic perspectives. Front Immunol. 2026 Jun 2;17:1853891. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1853891. eCollection 2026.

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