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Rotarix (Rotavirus Vaccine Live Oral) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

 
 



DESCRIPTION

ROTARIX (Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral), for oral administration,  is a live, attenuated rotavirus vaccine derived from the human 89-12 strain which belongs to G1P[8] type. The rotavirus strain is propagated on Vero cells. After reconstitution, the final formulation (1 mL) contains at least 106.0 median Cell Culture Infective Dose (CCID50) of live, attenuated rotavirus.

The lyophilized vaccine contains amino acids, dextran, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), sorbitol, and sucrose. DMEM contains the following ingredients: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, ferric (III) nitrate, sodium phosphate, sodium pyruvate, D-glucose, concentrated vitamin solution, L-cystine, L-tyrosine, amino acids solution, L-glutamine, calcium chloride, sodium hydrogenocarbonate, and phenol red. The liquid diluent contains calcium carbonate, sterile water, and xanthan. The diluent includes an antacid component (calcium carbonate) to protect the vaccine during passage through the stomach and prevent its inactivation due to the acidic environment of the stomach.

ROTARIX contains no preservatives.

The tip cap and the rubber plunger of the oral applicator contain dry natural latex rubber. The vial stopper and transfer adapter are latex-free.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mechanism of Action

Prior to rotavirus vaccination programs, rotavirus infected nearly all children by the time they were 5 years of age. Severe, dehydrating rotavirus gastroenteritis occurs primarily among children aged 3 to 35 months.2 Among children up to 3 years of age, approximately 16% of cases before 6 months of age result in hospitalization.3

The exact immunologic mechanism by which ROTARIX protects against rotavirus gastroenteritis is unknown [see Clinical Pharmacology]. ROTARIX contains a live, attenuated human rotavirus that replicates in the small intestine and induces immunity.

Pharmacodynamics

Immunogenicity: A relationship between antibody responses to rotavirus vaccination and protection against rotavirus gastroenteritis has not been established. Seroconversion was defined as the appearance of anti-rotavirus IgA antibodies (concentration ≥20 U/mL) post-vaccination in the serum of infants previously negative for rotavirus. In 2 safety and efficacy studies, one to two months after a 2-dose series, 86.5% of 787 recipients of ROTARIX seroconverted compared with 6.7% of 420 placebo recipients and 76.8% of 393 recipients of ROTARIX seroconverted compared with 9.7% of 341 placebo recipients, respectively.

NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

ROTARIX has not been evaluated for carcinogenic or mutagenic potential, or for impairment of fertility.

CLINICAL STUDIES

Efficacy Studies

The data demonstrating the efficacy of ROTARIX in preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis come from 24,163 infants randomized in two placebo-controlled studies conducted in 17 countries in Europe and Latin America. In these studies, oral polio vaccine (OPV) was not coadministered; however, other routine childhood vaccines could be concomitantly administered. Breast-feeding was permitted in both studies.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 6 European countries. A total of 3,994 infants were enrolled to receive ROTARIX (n = 2,646) or placebo (n = 1,348). Vaccine or placebo was given to healthy infants as a 2-dose series with the first dose administered orally from 6 through 14 weeks of age followed by one additional dose administered at least 4 weeks after the first dose. The 2-dose series was completed by 24 weeks of age. For both vaccination groups, 98.3% of infants were white and 53% were male.

The clinical case definition of rotavirus gastroenteritis was an episode of diarrhea (passage of 3 or more loose or watery stools within a day), with or without vomiting, where rotavirus was identified in a stool sample. Severity of gastroenteritis was determined by a clinical scoring system, the Vesikari scale, assessing the duration and intensity of diarrhea and vomiting, the intensity of fever, use of rehydration therapy or hospitalization for each episode. Scores range from 0 to 20, where higher scores indicate greater severity. An episode of gastroenteritis with a score of 11 or greater was considered severe.4

The primary efficacy endpoint was prevention of any grade of severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis caused by naturally occurring rotavirus from 2 weeks after the second dose through one rotavirus season (according to protocol, ATP). Other efficacy evaluations included prevention of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, as defined by the Vesikari scale, and reductions in hospitalizations due to rotavirus gastroenteritis and all cause gastroenteritis regardless of presumed etiology. Analyses were also done to evaluate the efficacy of ROTARIX against rotavirus gastroenteritis among infants who received at least one vaccination (total vaccinated cohort, TVC).

Efficacy of ROTARIX against any grade of severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis through one rotavirus season was 87.1% (95% CI: 79.6, 92.1); TVC efficacy was 87.3% (95% CI: 80.3, 92.0). Efficacy against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis through one rotavirus season was 95.8% (95% CI: 89.6, 98.7); TVC efficacy was 96.0% (95% CI: 90.2, 98.8) (Table 4). The protective effect of ROTARIX against any grade of severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis observed immediately following dose 1 administration and prior to dose 2 was 89.8% (95% CI: 8.9, 99.8).

Efficacy of ROTARIX in reducing hospitalizations for rotavirus gastroenteritis through one rotavirus season was 100% (95% CI: 81.8, 100); TVC efficacy was 100% (95% CI: 81.7, 100) (Table 4). ROTARIX reduced hospitalizations for all cause gastroenteritis regardless of presumed etiology by 74.7% (95% CI: 45.5, 88.9).

Table 4. Efficacy Evaluation of ROTARIX Through One Rotavirus Season
According to Protocol a Total Vaccinated Cohort b
ROTARIX Placebo ROTARIX Placebo
Infants in Cohort N = 2,572 N = 1,302 N = 2,646 N = 1,348
Gastroenteritis cases
Any severity 24 94 26 104
Severec 5 60 5 64
Efficacy estimate against RV GE
Any severity 87.1%d 87.3%d
(95% CI) (79.6, 92.1) (80.3, 92.0)
Severec 95.8%d 96.0%d
(95% CI) (89.6, 98.7) (90.2, 98.8)
Cases of hospitalization due to RV GE 0 12 0 12
Efficacy in reducing hospitalizations due to RV GE 100%d 100%d
(95% CI) (81.8, 100) (81.7, 100)

RV GE = rotavirus gastroenteritis; CI = Confidence Interval.

aATP analysis includes all infants in the efficacy cohort who received two doses of vaccine according to randomization.

bTVC analysis includes all infants in the efficacy cohort who received at least one dose of vaccine or placebo.

cSevere gastroenteritis defined as ≥11 on the Vesikari scale.

dStatistically significant vs. placebo (P <0.001).

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 11 countries in Latin America and Finland. A total of 63,225 infants received ROTARIX (n = 31,673) or placebo (n = 31,552). An efficacy subset of these infants consisting of 20,169 infants from Latin America received ROTARIX (n = 10,159) or placebo (n = 10,010). Vaccine or placebo was given to healthy infants as a 2-dose series with the first dose administered orally from 6 through 13 weeks of age followed by one additional dose administered at least 4 weeks after the first dose. The 2-dose series was completed by the age of 24 weeks of age. For both vaccination groups, the racial distribution of the efficacy subset was as follows: Hispanic 85.8%, white 7.9%, black 1.1%, and other 5.2%; 51% were male.

The clinical case definition of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis was an episode of diarrhea (passage of 3 or more loose or watery stools within a day), with or without vomiting, where rotavirus was identified in a stool sample, requiring hospitalization and/or rehydration therapy equivalent to World Health Organization (WHO) plan B (oral rehydration therapy) or plan C (intravenous rehydration therapy) in a medical facility.

The primary efficacy endpoint was prevention of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis caused by naturally occurring rotavirus from 2 weeks after the second dose through one year (ATP). Analyses were done to evaluate the efficacy of ROTARIX against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis among infants who received at least one vaccination (TVC). Reduction in hospitalizations due to rotavirus gastroenteritis was also evaluated (ATP).

Efficacy of ROTARIX against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis through one year was 84.7% (95% CI: 71.7, 92.4); TVC efficacy was 81.1% (95% CI: 68.5, 89.3) (Table 5).

Efficacy of ROTARIX in reducing hospitalizations for rotavirus gastroenteritis through one year was 85.0% (95% CI: 69.6, 93.5); TVC efficacy was 80.8% (95% CI: 65.7, 90.0) (Table 5).

Table 5. Efficacy Evaluation of ROTARIX Through One Year
According to Protocol a Total Vaccinated Cohort b
ROTARIX Placebo ROTARIX Placebo
Infants in Cohort N = 9,009 N = 8,858 N = 10,159 N = 10,010
Gastroenteritis cases
Severe 12 77 18 94
Efficacy estimate against RV GE
Severe 84.7%c 81.1%c
(95% CI) (71.7, 92.4) (68.5, 89.3)
Cases of hospitalization due to RV GE 9 59 14 72
Efficacy in reducing hospitalizations due to RV GE 85.0%c 80.8%c
(95% CI) (69.6, 93.5) (65.7, 90.0)

RV GE = rotavirus gastroenteritis; CI = Confidence Interval.

aATP analysis includes all infants in the efficacy cohort who received two doses of vaccine according to randomization.

bTVC analysis includes all infants in the efficacy cohort who received at least one dose of vaccine or placebo.

cStatistically significant vs. placebo (P <0.001).

Efficacy Through Two Rotavirus Seasons

The efficacy of ROTARIX persisting through two rotavirus seasons was evaluated in two studies.

In the European study, the efficacy of ROTARIX against any grade of severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis through two rotavirus seasons was 78.9% (95% CI: 72.7, 83.8). Efficacy in preventing any grade of severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis cases occurring only during the second season post-vaccination was 71.9% (95% CI: 61.2, 79.8). The efficacy of ROTARIX against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis through two rotavirus seasons was 90.4% (95% CI: 85.1, 94.1). Efficacy in preventing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis cases occurring only during the second season post-vaccination was 85.6% (95% CI: 75.8, 91.9).

The efficacy of ROTARIX in reducing hospitalizations for rotavirus gastroenteritis through two rotavirus seasons was 96.0% (95% CI: 83.8, 99.5).

In the Latin American study, the efficacy of ROTARIX against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis through two years was 80.5% (95% CI: 71.3, 87.1). Efficacy in preventing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis cases occurring only during the second year post-vaccination was 79.0% (95% CI: 66.4, 87.4). The efficacy of ROTARIX in reducing hospitalizations for rotavirus gastroenteritis through two years was 83.0% (95% CI: 73.1, 89.7).

The efficacy of ROTARIX beyond the second season post-vaccination was not evaluated.

Efficacy Against Specific Rotavirus Types

The type-specific efficacy against any grade of severity and severe rotavirus gastroenteritis caused by G1P[8], G3P[8], G4P[8], G9P[8], and combined non-G1 (G2, G3, G4, G9) types was statistically significant through one year. Additionally, type-specific efficacy against any grade of severity and severe rotavirus gastroenteritis caused by G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], G9P[8], and combined non-G1 (G2, G3, G4, G9) types was statistically significant through two years (Table 6).

Table 6. Type-Specific Efficacy of ROTARIX Against Any Grade of Severity and Severe Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (According to Protocol)
Through One Rotavirus Season Through Two Rotavirus Seasons
Number of Cases Number of Cases
ROTARIX Placebo % Efficacy ROTARIX Placebo % Efficacy
Type Identified a N = 2,572 N = 1,302 (95% CI) N = 2,572 N = 1,302 (95% CI)
ANY GRADE OF SEVERITY
G1P[8] 4 46

95.6%b

(87.9, 98.8)

18 89c,d

89.8%b

(82.9, 94.2)

G2P[4] 3 4c NS 14 17c

58.3%b

(10.1, 81.0)

G3P[8] 1 5

89.9%b

(9.5, 99.8)

3 10

84.8%b

(41.0, 97.3)

G4P[8] 3 13

88.3%b

(57.5, 97.9)

6 18

83.1%b

(55.6, 94.5)

G9P[8] 13 27

75.6%b

(51.1, 88.5)

38 71d

72.9%b

(59.3, 82.2)

Combined non-G1 (G2, G3, G4, G9, G12) typese 20 49

79.3%b

(64.6, 88.4)

62 116

72.9%b

(62.9, 80.5)

SEVERE
G1P[8] 2 28

96.4%b

(85.7, 99.6)

4 57

96.4%b

(90.4, 99.1)

G2P[4] 1 2c NS 2 7c

85.5%b

(24.0, 98.5)

G3P[8] 0 5

100%b

(44.8, 100)

1 8

93.7%b

(52.8, 99.9)

G4P[8] 0 7

100%b

(64.9, 100)

1 11

95.4%b

(68.3, 99.9)

G9P[8] 2 19

94.7%b

(77.9, 99.4)

13 44d

85.0%b

(71.7, 92.6)

Combined non-G1 (G2, G3, G4, G9, G12) typese 3 33

95.4%b

(85.3, 99.1)

17 70

87.7%b

(78.9, 93.2)

CI = Confidence Interval; NS = Not significant.

aStatistical analyses done by G type; if more than one rotavirus type was detected from a rotavirus gastroenteritis episode, the episode was counted in each of the detected rotavirus type categories.

bStatistically significant vs. placebo (P <0.05).

cThe P genotype was not typeable for one episode.

dP[8] genotype was not detected in one episode.

eTwo cases of G12P[8] were isolated in the second season (one in each group).

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