Arexvy
respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, adjuvanted (AS01E) · RSV preF3; TLR4 (AS01E adjuvant)In mice, AS01-adjuvanted RSVPreF3 induced CD4+/CD8+ T cells, neutralising antibodies and proinflammatory cytokines
Gardasil 9: which risks did reviewers probe?
human papillomavirus 9-valent vaccine, recombinant · HPV 9-valent L1 VLPs
Immune & cytokine safety
Transient spleen weight increase from immune stimulation; theoretical autoimmunity risk left to post-marketing
“The increase in splenic weights was considered an expected secondary effect to the stimulation of the immune system by vaccination and was converted to normal range following a 21-day recovery. Theoretically, immune stimulation holds a risk of causing/exacerbating autoimmune diseases, but such a risk can only be characterized in post-marketing settings.”
Biodistribution & persistence
No ADME studies (vaccine guidance; acceptable)
“No studies on absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion were performed. This is in line with the CHMP Note for Guidance on Preclinical Pharmacological and Toxicological Testing of Vaccines and is therefore acceptable.”
Modality-specific risk
Adjuvant-driven injection-site inflammation and lymph node hyperplasia; 500 µg alum versus 225 µg in Gardasil
“Given a total amount of 500 µg Alum within the 9vHPV vaccine formulation (instead of 225 µg in GARDASIL), a 21-day recovery period appears not sufficiently long to allow detection of fully or partial recovery of the effect when evaluated by muscle inflammation and lymph node hyperplasia.”
Anti-drug antibodies: animals
Immune response in all vaccine-treated rats, confirming exposure
“Serology testing showed an immune response in all vaccine recipient animals.”
Anti-drug antibodies: patients
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
Same question, other vaccines
Cervarix
human papillomavirus bivalent (types 16, 18) vaccine, recombinant, AS04-adjuvanted · HPV 16/18 L1 VLPs; TLR4 (AS04 adjuvant)No neurological, immunological or autoimmune adverse reactions in MPL-containing preclinical studies (FDA concurred)
Cyfendus
anthrax vaccine adsorbed, adjuvanted · B. anthracis PA; TLR9 (CpG 7909 adjuvant)Transient neutrophil, monocyte, basophil and inflammatory-marker increases; spleen weight increase and lymphoid hyperplasia
Fendrix
hepatitis B vaccine (rDNA), AS04C-adjuvanted · HBsAg VLPs; TLR4 (AS04C adjuvant)Anti-HBs seroconversion in rabbits; rat dams and offspring exposed to high anti-HBs titres
Gardasil
human papillomavirus quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, 18) vaccine, recombinant · HPV 6/11/16/18 L1 VLPsTheoretical autoimmunity from cross-reactive antibodies, not readily studied in animals; left to clinical assessment
HBVaxPro
hepatitis B vaccine (rDNA) · HBsAg VLPsNo autoimmune reactions, kidney or vascular lesions, or immune complex deposition in the rat repeat-dose study
Heplisav-B
hepatitis B vaccine (recombinant), adjuvanted · HBsAg; TLR9 (CpG 1018 adjuvant)Serum IL-12p40 rose only 2-fold at ~20x the human CpG 1018 dose; no IL-12p40 or IFN-gamma increase at the 1x human dose
Mosquirix
RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine · P. falciparum CSP-HBsAg (RTS,S) VLPs; TLR4 (AS01 adjuvant)Transient neutrophil and fibrinogen increases after dosing, back to pre-dose levels within three days
Nuvaxovid
COVID-19 vaccine, recombinant spike protein nanoparticle, Matrix-M-adjuvanted · SARS-CoV-2 spike (nanoparticle)Matrix-M1: injection-site inflammation, reversible draining lymph node enlargement, raised CRP, fibrinogen and globulin (immune stimulation)
PreHevbrio
hepatitis B vaccine (recombinant), 3-antigen · HBsAg S/pre-S1/pre-S2 VLPsSlight lymphoid hyperplasia in spleen and lymph nodes, an expected immunostimulatory effect
Shingrix
zoster vaccine recombinant, AS01B-adjuvanted · VZV glycoprotein E; TLR4 (AS01B adjuvant)Acute-phase response (CRP rise) indicating systemic inflammation, possibly linked to malaise, fatigue and nausea
Flublok
influenza vaccine, recombinant hemagglutinin · Influenza HANot stated in public reviews