Cytokine Production and Immunity to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) in Elderly Recipients of Zoster Vaccine
Completed
Conditions studied: Immunity; Defect Due to Antibody or Cell Mediated Immune Defect
In brief
After immunization, particularly in older persons, some people are protected from disease by a vaccine and others are not. The investigators believe that this variable response may be due to overproduction of molecules that suppress development of immunity (antibodies and cell mediated immunity). Normally, these molecules are produced to make sure that immunity is regulated in just the right way for the body as a whole, and to prevent autoimmune disease. However, with aging, the immune system may have difficulty in proper immune regulation. Over production of immunosuppressive molecules after vaccination may interfere with the effects of a vaccine. For example when elderly individuals are immunized against zoster with a licensed vaccine, Zostavax, the vaccine is effective in only about 50 to 60%. The investigators will compare blood levels of antibodies, cellular immunity, and immunosuppressive molecules in recipients of Zostavax to see if there is a correlation between development low immunity and high levels of immunosuppressive molecules.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT01288014
- Run by
- Columbia University
- People needed
- 26
- Starts
- 2011-01-01
- Expected to finish
- 2012-03-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2017-07-19
Who can join
Age: 60 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Relatively healthy and over 60 years old
You may not qualify if…
- Having already received Zostavax
Where it is running
- Vanderbilt Clinic, Columbia University Medical Center — New York, New York, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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