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Research

JAMA Neurology | Original Investigation

Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of the ACI-24 Vaccine


in Adults With Down Syndrome
A Phase 1b Randomized Clinical Trial
Michael S. Rafii, MD, PhD; Olivier Sol, MD; William C. Mobley, MD, PhD; Saskia Delpretti, PhD; Brian G. Skotko, MD, MPP; Anna D. Burke, MD;
Marwan N. Sabbagh, MD; Shauna H. Yuan, MD; Robert A. Rissman, PhD; Margaret Pulsifer, PhD; Casey Evans, PhD; A. Carol Evans, BA;
Gregory Beth, BS; Nicolas Fournier, PhD; Julian A. Gray, MD; Antonio Melo dos Santos, MD; Valerie Hliva, PhD; Marija Vukicevic, PhD;
Marie Kosco-Vilbois, PhD; Johannes Streffer, MD; Andrea Pfeifer, PhD; Howard H. Feldman, MD

Supplemental content
IMPORTANCE Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk of developing
Alzheimer disease due to an increased dose of the amyloid precursor protein gene, APP,
which leads to increased levels of full-length APP and its products, including amyloid-β (Aβ).
The liposome-based antiamyloid ACI-24 vaccine is intended to treat neurological disorders
caused by misfolded Aβ pathological protein. However, the safety, tolerability, and
immunogenicity of the ACI-24 vaccine among adults with DS have not been fully examined.

OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and tolerability of the ACI-24 vaccine among adults with DS
as well as its ability to induce immunogenicity measured by anti-Aβ immunoglobulin G titers.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled


dose-escalation phase 1b randomized clinical trial was conducted at 3 US academic medical
centers with affiliated Down syndrome clinics between March 30, 2016, and June 29, 2020.
A total of 20 adults with DS were screened; of those, 16 adults were eligible to participate.
Eligibility criteria included men or women aged 25 to 45 years with cytogenetic diagnosis of
either trisomy 21 or complete unbalanced translocation of chromosome 21. Between April 27,
2016, and July 2, 2018, participants were randomized 3:1 into 2 dose-level cohorts
(8 participants per cohort, with 6 participants receiving the ACI-24 vaccine and 2 receiving
placebo) in a 96-week study. Participants received 48 weeks of treatment followed by an
additional 48 weeks of safety follow-up.

INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to receive 7 subcutaneous injections of


ACI-24, 300 μg or 1000 μg, or placebo.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary outcomes were measures of safety and tolerability
as well as antibody titers.

RESULTS Among 16 enrolled participants, the mean (SD) age was 32.6 (4.4) years;
9 participants were women, and 7 were men. All participants were White, and 1 participant
had Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Treatment adherence was 100%. There were no cases of
meningoencephalitis, death, or other serious adverse events (AEs) and no withdrawals as a
result of AEs. Most treatment-emergent AEs were of mild intensity (110 of 132 events
[83.3%]) and unrelated or unlikely to be related to the ACI-24 vaccine (113 of 132 events
[85.6%]). No amyloid-related imaging abnormalities with edema or cerebral
microhemorrhage and no evidence of central nervous system inflammation were observed
on magnetic resonance imaging scans. Increases in anti-Aβ immunoglobulin G titers were
observed in 4 of 12 participants (33.3%) receiving ACI-24 (2 receiving 300 μg and 2 receiving
1000 μg) compared with 0 participants receiving placebo. In addition, a greater increase was
observed in plasma Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels among individuals receiving ACI-24.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, the ACI-24 vaccine was safe and well tolerated
Author Affiliations: Author
in adults with DS. Evidence of immunogenicity along with pharmacodynamic and target affiliations are listed at the end of this
engagement were observed, and anti-Aβ antibody titers were not associated with any article.
adverse findings. These results support progression to clinical trials using an optimized Corresponding Author: Michael S.
formulation of the ACI-24 vaccine among individuals with DS. Rafii, MD, PhD, Alzheimer’s
Therapeutic Research Institute,
TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02738450 Keck School of Medicine, University
of Southern California, San Diego,
JAMA Neurol. 2022;79(6):565-574. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.0983 9860 Mesa Rim Rd, San Diego, CA
Published online May 9, 2022. 92121 (mrafii@usc.edu).

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Research Original Investigation Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome

D
own syndrome (DS) is most often caused by trisomy
21, which results from an extra copy of chromosome Key Points
21 that encodes no fewer than 350 genes,1 including
Question Is treatment with the antiamyloid ACI-24 vaccine safe
APP (OMIM 104760); this gene encodes the amyloid precur- and tolerable, and does it engage disease indicators in adults with
sor protein, APP, whose cleavage products include the amy- Down syndrome (DS) who are at risk of developing a genetic form
loid-β (Aβ) peptide. This process results in generation of ex- of Alzheimer disease?
cess full-length APP and Aβ. In individuals with DS, diffuse Aβ
Findings In this randomized clinical trial involving 16 adults with
deposits are visible in the cerebral cortex as early as age 12 DS, the ACI-24 vaccine was found to be safe and well tolerated.
years.2 Fibrillar amyloid plaques are observed in almost all The vaccine elicited immunogenicity in 4 of 12 participants and
individuals with DS after age 40 years.3-5 The lifetime risk of impacted Alzheimer disease biomarkers.
AD among individuals with DS is approximately 90%6; as a
Meaning This study’s findings demonstrate that interventional
result, AD is the leading cause of death among adults with DS clinical trials can be successfully conducted among individuals with
older than 35 years.7 DS and that the ACI-24 vaccine is safe, well tolerated, and warrants
Genetic support for the role of APP in the pathogenesis of further investigation.
AD among adults with DS is compelling. Individuals with DS
who have trisomy 21 but are disomic for APP develop no amy- was conducted between March 30, 2016, and June 29, 2020,
loid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles and have no symp- and received institutional review board approval at each study
toms of dementia.8 In the general population, a mutation in site before initiation. Written informed consent was obtained
the APP gene that prevents its cleavage from producing Aβ is from all participants and their study partners or legal repre-
protective against the development of amyloid plaques and sentatives before any clinical trial–related activities were per-
neurofibrillary tangles as well as dementia.9 Amyloid-β there- formed. The investigator (W.C.M., B.G.S., or A.D.B.) or a des-
fore remains a prime target for therapies intended to treat AD ignated staff member met with the participant and the
among individuals with DS. When examined, the neuropa- participant’s study partner or legal representative and ex-
thology of AD in persons with DS closely resembles that of AD plained the study in sufficient detail to permit an informed de-
in persons without DS.10-14 cision to participate. Participants provided written informed
It is currently estimated that 200 000 persons in the US15 consent after demonstrating that they understood the study
and 417 000 persons in Europe have DS. 16 No disease- procedures. In cases in which participants could not describe
modifying or symptomatic treatment for AD among individu- the study procedures, the study partner or legal guardian pro-
als with DS is currently available. Thus, there is an important vided written consent. The study adhered to all applicable lo-
and unmet medical need for more effective treatments for AD cal regulations, was conducted in accordance with the Guide-
in this genetically predisposed population. line for Good Clinical Practice,22 and complied with ethical
The ACI-24 vaccine is liposome based and intended to treat standards described in the Declaration of Helsinki.23 This study
neurological disorders caused by misfolded Aβ pathological followed the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials
protein. By incorporating the first 15 amino acids of human Aβ (CONSORT) reporting guideline for randomized clinical trials.
into a stacked β-sheet conformation on the liposome, ACI-24 Eligible participants were men or women with a cytoge-
induces the production of polyclonal anti-Aβ antibodies spe- netic diagnosis of either trisomy 21 or complete unbalanced
cific for soluble and insoluble aggregated forms of Aβ, includ- translocation of chromosome 21 who were aged 25 to 45 years.
ing oligomers17-19; Aβ oligomers are one of the toxic species that This age range was selected to minimize the presence of sub-
create pathogenesis in both persons with AD and DS.20 Inocu- stantial cognitive impairment due to dementia, which would
lation of APP×PS-1 mice for AD17 or Ts65Dn mice for DS21 using have impaired participants’ ability to complete study proce-
a murine version of the ACI-24 vaccine resulted in a modest, dures. All participants were required to have a study partner
albeit statistically insignificant, reduction of Aβ levels in the or legal representative with whom they had direct contact for
Ts65Dn brain21 and significant decreases in soluble and in- a minimum of 10 hours per week and who could be asked ques-
soluble fractions of Aβ in the APP×PS-1 brain,17 with a con- tions about the participant. Exclusion criteria included weight
comitant improvement in cognitive function. The present study less than 40 kg, IQ composite score lower than 40 (as mea-
was designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and immuno- sured by the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Second
genicity of the ACI-24 vaccine among human adults with DS. Edition24), any current psychiatric or neurological illness other
than DS, drug or alcohol misuse within the past 5 years, or the
presence of a medical condition that could impede evalua-
tion of the study drug. Additional inclusion and exclusion cri-
Methods
teria are listed in the trial protocol (Supplement 1). This small
Study Design and Participants study involving a unique population did not enroll a large num-
In this multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled dose- ber of members of underrepresented racial and ethnic minor-
escalation phase 1b randomized clinical trial, participants with ity groups, perhaps as a result of an unawareness of the op-
DS were enrolled at 3 medical centers with affiliated Down syn- portunity to participate in clinical trials among these groups.
drome clinics in the US (Massachusetts General Hospital, Bos- Participants were randomized between April 27, 2016, and
ton, Massachusetts; University of California, San Diego; and July 2, 2018. The study consisted of 2 cohorts of 8 partici-
Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona). The study pants each. In cohort 1, 6 participants were randomized to re-

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Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome Original Investigation Research

ceive ACI-24, 300 μg, and 2 participants were randomized to onstrate independence),27 the Neuropsychiatric Inventory
receive placebo; in cohort 2, 6 participants were randomized (which measures neuropsychiatric symptoms),28 the Clini-
to receive ACI-24, 1000 μg, and 2 participants were random- cian Global Impression of Change (which measures symptom
ized to receive placebo. A total of 7 subcutaneous injections severity, treatment response, and treatment efficacy),29 a global
of either ACI-24 or placebo were administered at weeks 0, 4, assessment of tolerability (performed by W.C.M., B.G.S., and
8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 followed by an additional 48-week A.D.B.), and the Columbia–Suicide Severity Rating Scale (which
treatment-free safety follow-up period, with the last study measures suicidal ideation and behavior).30
visit conducted at week 96. The cohorts were studied sequen- The investigator, study coordinator, and any study par-
tially in ascending dose order. Cohort 2 initiated treatment ticipants other than the unblinded dispenser or administra-
when safety and tolerability data through week 14 of the treat- tor were not permitted to know the study product assigned to
ment period of the last participant in cohort 1 had been re- any participant. Site monitoring of the clinical trial was un-
viewed by the data safety monitoring board. dertaken by a blinded monitor for all study data (with the ex-
ception of study drug accountability data), which were re-
Randomization and Blinding viewed by an unblinded monitor along with the unblinded
Investigators used a secure web-based system to randomize study site personnel.
eligible participants to study groups. A central dynamic ran- The treatment was administered by subcutaneous injec-
domization model enabling a balance of treatment allocation tion. For the cohort receiving a low dose (ACI-24, 300 μg, or
across study groups (3:1 active drug to placebo ratio) was used placebo), the preferred injection site was the arm, alternating
at the overall study level due to the limited study population. between the left and right arm for each administration. For the
This system was programmed to ensure that the randomiza- cohort receiving a high dose (ACI-24, 1000 μg, or placebo),
tion of the first 4 participants (3 to the active drug group and the preferred injection site was the leg, with the study drug
1 to the placebo group) to each dose level was separated by an administered as 2 concomitant subcutaneous injections be-
interval of 7 or more days to enable a sufficient safety moni- cause of the higher drug volume. The injection sites were al-
toring period between each participant. The ACI-24 vials were ternated from right leg to left leg between visits. Free anti–
labeled by the manufacturer (Polymun Scientific Immunbi- Aβ1-42 immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers were determined using
ologische Forschung). The study sponsor (AC Immune), in- an assay (Meso Scale Discovery Free Assay) developed in house,
vestigators, and participants were unaware of assigned treat- then transferred to an external contract research organiza-
ment groups during the active treatment and follow-up periods. tion (BioAgilytix Labs) for validation of good clinical labora-
Blinded clinical assessments were conducted by the study in- tory practice.
vestigators (W.C.M., B.G.S., and A.D.B.). Reviews of blinded
and unblinded safety data were performed on a quarterly ba- Outcomes
sis by the study sponsor and the data safety monitoring board, The primary objective of this study was to assess the safety,
respectively. Blinded analysis of magnetic resonance imaging tolerability and immunogenicity of the ACI-24 vaccine. Pri-
(MRI) scans was conducted by an external clinical research mary end points included AEs, global assessment of tolerabil-
company (BioClinica). ity, physical and neurological examination results, vital signs,
suicidal ideation or behavior, MRI and electrocardiographic
Procedures findings, hematological and biochemical findings from blood
The study drug or placebo was administered at weeks 0, 4, 8, and urine, inflammatory markers in blood and cerebrospinal
12, 24, 36, and 48. The dosing time of day and relation of dos- fluid (lumbar puncture was optional), and serum anti-Aβ an-
ing to meals were not controlled. Because the appearance of tibody titers.
the liquid in the vial differed between placebo and ACI-24, a The secondary objectives were to assess the study drug for
qualified unblinded person at the study site obtained the study clinical efficacy and effects on cognition, behavior, brain struc-
product from the pharmacy and administered the product. ture volumes, and blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid biomark-
The investigator assigned the responsibility of an unblinded ers. The secondary clinical assessment end points included
dispenser or administrator to a person or persons who did not change in cognition from baseline, as measured by the Clini-
participate in any subjective evaluation of any participant. As- cian Global Impression of Change and cognitive assessments;
sessment of adverse events (AEs), causality and cognitive and change in motor control, reaction time, and paired associa-
behavioral test results were subjective evaluations of study par- tive learning from baseline, as measured by the Cambridge
ticipants and were therefore not permitted to be conducted by Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery; performance on
the unblinded dispenser or administrator. Cognitive and be- the Brief Praxis Test; and change in behavior from baseline,
havioral tests included the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test as measured by the Vineland II Adaptive Behavior Scales and
Automated Battery (which measures brain function across 3 the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. The secondary biological end
cognitive domains: visual memory, attention, and functional points were whole brain, ventricle, and hippocampal vol-
components of executive function),25 the Brief Praxis Test umes assessed by MRI; T-cell activation; inflammatory cyto-
(which screens for early features of dementia in adults with kines; and AD-related biomarkers, including levels of Aβ, total
intellectual disability),26 the Vineland II Adaptive Behavior tau protein, phosphorylated tau protein, neurofilament light,
Scales (which measure adaptive behaviors, including ability neurogranin, and other exploratory biomarkers, such as an-
to cope with environmental changes, learn new skills, and dem- giogenic proteins and vascular injury markers.

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Research Original Investigation Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome

treat population who completed the treatment period and


Figure 1. Study Flowchart
received all injections per protocol and for whom no major pro-
tocol deviation was observed. Additional details about the
20 Patients with Down syndrome screeneda
statistical analysis plan are available in Supplement 1.
4 Did not pass screening

16 Randomized Results
Twenty participants were screened for eligibility; of those, 4
6 Randomized to receive 6 Randomized to receive 4 Randomized to participants were not eligible for enrollment, and 1 partici-
ACI-24, 300 μg ACI-24, 1000 μg receive placebo
pant was rescreened and deemed eligible to participate
(Figure 1). Among 16 enrolled participants, the mean (SD) age
0 Withdrew from study 2 Withdrew from studyb 0 Withdrew from study
was 32.6 (4.4) years; 9 participants (56.3%) were women, and
6 Included in the primary 6 Included in the primary 4 Included in the primary
7 (43.7%) were men. All participants were White, and 1 par-
intention-to-treat intention-to-treat intention-to-treat ticipant in the ACI-24, 1000 μg, group had Hispanic or Latino
analysis analysis analysis
ethnicity. The educational level was identical across all study
groups (mean [SD], 12.0 [0.0] years).
a
One participant was rescreened.
A total of 6 participants were randomized to receive ACI-
b
Two participants discontinued participation because they were unwilling to
24, 300 μg, 6 participants were randomized to receive ACI-
attend the final study visit (week 96) due to the risk of COVID-19.
24, 1000 μg, and 4 participants were randomized to receive
placebo. Treatment adherence was 100%; all participants
Abnormal laboratory or imaging findings and other ab- completed the treatment period (through week 48) and
normal clinical assessments that the study investigator (W.C.M., received all study product administrations. All participants
B.G.S., or A.D.B.) determined to be clinically meaningful (in- in cohort 1 who were randomized to receive ACI-24, 300 μg,
cluding severity and causal relationship to the study drug) were or placebo completed the study through week 96 (end of
recorded if they met the definition of an AE or serious AE. The safety follow-up period); however, only 4 of 6 participants
MRI scans were conducted at the screening visit (weeks 0-4) (66.7%) in cohort 2 who were randomized to receive ACI-24,
and at weeks 14, 26, 50, and 96; MRI scans were performed 1000 μg, completed week 96. These 2 participants (33.3%)
within a 14-day period after the screening visit date (start of discontinued the study before the end of the safety
visit plus 14 days) and within a 7-day period before or after the follow-up period because they were unwilling to attend the
subsequent visit date (start of visit plus or minus 7 days). final site visit as a result of the risk of contracting SARS-
CoV-2. No major protocol deviations occurred during the
Statistical Analysis study; consequently, all participants from the modified
Analyses were 2-tailed and performed as specified in the sta- intention-to-treat population were included in the per proto-
tistical analysis plan (Supplement 1), which was finalized be- col population, which had the same composition as the
fore unblinding of treatment assignments. Evaluations of the population included in the safety analysis. Most results
statistical analysis plan were performed by an external clini- reported in this article refer to the modified intention-to-
cal research organization (Synteract). The sample size was es- treat population (with the exception of data shown in
tablished as 8 participants (6 receiving ACI-24 and 2 receiv- Table 1, which includes baseline demographic information
ing placebo) per cohort. It was expected that the sample size about participants who were deemed ineligible to participate
would be sufficient to achieve the main goals of detecting com- based on initial screening results).
mon AEs and providing information about the immunogenic- Baseline demographic characteristics were similar across
ity of ACI-24 in this population. No statistical tests were per- cohorts (Table 1). There were more male participants in the
formed because the sample size did not allow for meaningful group receiving ACI-24, 300 μg (4 individuals [66.7%]), vs
statistical inference. the group receiving ACI-24, 1000 μg (2 individuals [33.3%]),
All analyses and tabulations were performed using SAS and the groups receiving placebo (1 individual [25.0%]).
software, version 9.4 or higher (SAS Institute Inc). Four data Body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided
sets were used for analysis: (1) all participants, which com- by height in meters squared) was slightly lower among those
prised all individuals who received initial screening; (2) safety receiving ACI-24, 300 μg (mean [SD], 37.0 [9.9]), vs ACI-24,
analysis population, which comprised all randomized partici- 1000 μg (mean [SD], 39.9 [9.4]), and placebo (mean [SD],
pants who received at least 1 dose of the study drug or pla- 43.1 [12.7]). The IQ composite score on the Kaufman Brief
cebo and at least 1 postdosing safety assessment; (3) modi- Intelligence Test was slightly lower among participants
fied intention-to-treat population, which comprised all receiving ACI-24, 300 μg (mean [SD], 44.2 [5.5] points), vs
randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of the ACI-24, 1000 μg (mean [SD], 49.2 [9.5] points), and placebo
study drug or placebo and at least 1 biological or efficacy as- (mean [SD], 46.0 [8.0] points).
sessment at any time during the study after the first dose All randomized participants presented with trisomy 21.
administration; and (4) per protocol population, which com- A medical history of obesity, which is a common comorbidity
prised all participants included in the modified intention-to- among individuals with DS, was recorded in one-half of par-

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Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome Original Investigation Research

Table 1. Baseline Demographic Characteristics

No. (%)
Treatment
Ineligible for cohort 1 Treatment cohort
study (ACI-24, 2 (ACI-24, Placebo cohorts
Characteristic Total participationa 300 μg) 1000 μg) 1 and 2
Total participants, 20 4 6 6 4
No.
Age at signing of
informed consent, y
Mean (SD) 32.9 (4.1) 34.0 (2.6) 33.5 (4.6) 31.5 (4.9) 33.0 (4.2)
Median (range) 33.5 (25.0-41.0) 34.0 (31.0-37.0) 32.5 (28.0-41.0) 33.0 (25.0-36.0) 33.0 (28.0-38.0)
Sex
Female 11 (55.0) 2 (50.0) 2 (33.3) 4 (66.7) 3 (75.0)
Male 9 (45.0) 2 (50.0) 4 (66.7) 2 (33.3) 1 (25.0)
Race
Racial minority 0 0 0 0 0
groupsb
White 20 (100) 4 (100) 6 (100) 6 (100) 4 (100)
Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino 1 (5.0) 0 0 1 (16.7) 0
Non-Hispanic or 19 (95.0) 4 (100) 6 (100) 5 (83.3) 4 (100)
non-Latino
APOE genotype
ε3/ε3 8 (40.0) 0 3 (50.0) 3 (50.0) 2 (50.0)
ε2/ε3 2 (10.0) 0 1 (16.7) 1 (16.7) 0 Abbreviations:
APOE, apolipoprotein E; BMI, body
ε3/ε4 2 (10.0) 0 1 (16.7) 0 1 (25.0) mass index (calculated as weight in
Not reported 8 (40.0) 4 (100) 1 (16.7) 2 (33.3) 1 (25.0) kilograms divided by height in meters
BMI at screening squared); KBIT-2, Kaufman Brief
Intelligence Test, Second Edition.
Mean (SD) 40.2 (10.1) 42.8 (11.6) 37.0 (9.9) 39.9 (9.4) 43.1 (12.7) a
Ineligibility determined by initial
Median (range) 39.4 (24.3-58.3) 41.2 (30.5-58.3) 37.3 (24.3-52.0) 35.1 (31.9-53.4) 47.4 (25.1-52.4) screening results.
KBIT-2 IQ composite b
Racial minority groups include
Mean (SD) 47.8 (10.4) 52.8 (18.9) 44.2 (5.5) 49.2 (9.5) 46.0 (8.0) American Indian or Alaska Native,
Asian, and Black or African
Median (range) 42.0 (40.0-80.0) 45.5 (40.0-80.0) 42.0 (40.0-54.0) 48.5 (40.0-60.0) 43.5 (40.0-57.0)
American.

ticipants in each study group (ie, 3 participants receiving were reported in 1 participant receiving placebo. Eight mild and
ACI-24, 300 μg, 3 participants receiving ACI-24, 1000 μg, and self-limiting injection site reactions were reported in 3 par-
2 participants receiving placebo). However, 13 of 16 partici- ticipants (50.0%) receiving ACI-24, 1000 μg, with a mean (SD)
pants (81.3%) had a body mass index greater than 30, thereby time to onset from the last study drug administration of 32.8
meeting the medical criterion for obesity. (4.8) hours and a mean (SD) time to resolution of 236.9 (32.7)
A total of 14 of 20 screened participants (70.0%) reported hours. There were no injection site reactions reported in either
having sleep apnea (5 of 6 participants [83.3%] in each ACI-24 the ACI-24, 300 μg, group or the placebo groups.
group, 1 of 4 participants [25.0%] in the pooled placebo group, Cellulitis considered unrelated to the study drug was re-
and 3 of 4 participants [75.0%] who were ineligible to partici- ported in 3 participants (50.0%) receiving ACI-24, 300 μg, and
pate based on screening results). Hypothyroidism was also re- 0 participants receiving ACI-24, 1000 μg, or placebo. Rash, in
ported in 4 participants (66.7%) receiving ACI-24, 1000 μg, all cases considered unrelated to the study drug, was re-
compared with 2 participants (50.0%) who were ineligible for ported in 2 participants (33.3%) receiving ACI-24, 1000 μg, 1
study participation and 0 participants in the other study participant (16.7%) receiving ACI-24, 300 μg, and 1 partici-
groups. pant (50.0%) in cohort 1 receiving placebo. Headache was re-
ported by 2 participants (33.3%) in the ACI-24, 1000 μg, group
Safety and Tolerability Outcomes and 1 participant (50.0%) in the cohort 2 placebo group.
No deaths, serious AEs, or treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) Angiogenic proteins and vascular injury markers (ie, vas-
leading to study withdrawal were reported during the study. cular endothelial growth factor A, C, and D; tyrosine kinase 2;
Overall, 15 of 16 participants (93.8%) reported TEAEs; the only C-reactive protein; vascular cell adhesion molecule 1; intra-
participant who did not report a TEAE was in the ACI-24, 300 cellular adhesion molecule 1, and bicinchoninic acid) were
μg, group (Table 2). Most TEAEs were of mild intensity (110 of evaluated in plasma and showed no difference across treat-
132 events [83.3%]) and either unrelated or unlikely to be re- ment groups. Inflammatory cytokines (ie, interferon γ, inter-
lated to the study drug (113 of 132 events [85.6%]). Only 2 se- leukins 10 and 12, and tumor necrosis factor) evaluated in
rious AEs (obstructive sleep apnea and tonsillar hypertrophy) serum also showed no difference across treatment groups and

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Research Original Investigation Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome

Table 2. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Occurring in 50% or More of Participants in Any Study Group (Safety Analysis Population)a

Treatment Placebo
Cohort 1 Cohort 2
Total (ACI-24, 300 μg) (ACI-24, 1000 μg) Cohort 1 Cohort 2
Participants, Events, Participants, Events, Participants, Events, Participants, Events, Participants, Events,
System organ class No. (%) No. No. (%) No. No. (%) No. No. (%) No. No. (%) No.
Preferred term, No. 16 NA 6 NA 6 NA 2 NA 2 NA
Any AE 15 (93.8) 132 5 (83.3) 56 6 (100) 56 2 (100) 9 2 (100) 11
Infections and 9 (56.3) 33 5 (83.3) 18 3 (50.0) 14 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
infestations
Cellulitis 3 (18.8) 3 3 (50.0) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bronchitis 2 (12.5) 3 1 (16.7) 2 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Nervous system disorders 7 (43.8) 14 3 (50.0) 5 3 (50.0) 6 0 0 1 (50.0) 3
Headache 4 (25.0) 6 1 (16.7) 1 2 (33.3) 4 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
Dizziness 2 (12.5) 3 0 0 1 (16.7) 1 0 0 1 (50.0) 2
Respiratory, thoracic, 7 (43.8) 9 3 (50.0) 4 3 (50.0) 3 0 0 1 (50.0) 2
and mediastinal
disorders
Sleep apnea syndrome 2 (12.5) 2 0 0 1 (16.7) 1 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
Tonsillar hypertrophy 2 (12.5) 2 1 (16.7) 1 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
Gastrointestinal 6 (37.5) 11 3 (50.0) 5 1 (16.7) 3 0 0 2 (100) 3
disorders
Diarrhea 2 (12.5) 3 1 (16.7) 1 1 (16.7) 2 0 0 0 0
Vomiting 2 (12.5) 2 1 (16.7) 1 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
Abdominal hernia 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
Upper abdominal pain 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
General disorders and 6 (37.5) 13 2 (33.3) 2 2 (33.3) 9 1 (50.0) 1 1 (50.0) 1
administration site
conditions
Fatigue 3 (18.8) 3 2 (33.3) 2 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
Peripheral swelling 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Investigations 6 (37.5) 8 2 (33.3) 2 2 (33.3) 3 2 (100) 3 0 0
Weight increased 2 (12.5) 2 1 (16.7) 1 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
C-reactive protein 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
increased
Menstruation normal 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Skin and subcutaneous 5 (31.3) 13 1 (16.7) 5 3 (50.0) 7 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
tissue disorders
Rash 4 (25.0) 4 1 (16.7) 1 2 (33.3) 2 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Eye disorders 4 (25.0) 6 2 (33.3) 4 1 (16.7) 1 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Lacrimation increased 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Injury, poisoning, and 4 (25.0) 5 2 (33.3) 2 1 (16.7) 2 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
procedural complications
Lip injury 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
Psychiatric disorders 3 (18.8) 3 1 (16.7) 1 1 (16.7) 1 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Enuresis 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Endocrine disorders 2 (12.5) 2 1 (16.7) 1 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Hypothyroidism 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1 0 0
Blood and lymphatic 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
system disorders
Anemia 1 (6.3) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (50.0) 1
Abbreviations: AE, adverse event; NA, not applicable. Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) software package
a
A participant with more than 1 event in a specific category was only counted developed by the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical
once. Table is sorted by descending participant count on the preferred term Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use.
level. Preferred term is standard terminology for AE coding used in the

no increase over time (eFigure 1 in Supplement 2). No evi- groups (gain of 5 kg vs loss of 1 kg) (eFigure 2 in Supple-
dence of T-cell activation was observed during the study. ment 2). No corrected QT intervals (measured by electrocar-
No laboratory results were deemed clinically meaningful diography; calculated as the time from the start of the Q wave
throughout the study. More weight gain was observed in par- to the end of the T wave) greater than 480 milliseconds were
ticipants randomized to the placebo groups vs the ACI-24 noted at any time in any group. No clinically meaningful ab-

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Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome Original Investigation Research

Figure 2. Anti–Amyloid-β (Anti-Aβ) 1-42 Immunoglobulin G Titer Values in Serum of Modified Intention-to-Treat Population by Study Visit

2500
ACI-24, 300 μg
ACI-24, 1000 μg
2000 Pooled placebo
Mean absolute anti–Aβ 1-42 IgG, AU/mL

1500

1000

500

1/2 LLOQ
0

–500

–2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96
Week

Values were obtained using the Meso Scale Discovery Free Assay. Whiskers represent 95% CIs. Arrows indicate time points of study drug administration.
IgG indicates immunoglobulin G; LLOQ, lower limit of quantification.

normalities and no episodes of amyloid-related imaging ab- and increase of 13.8 [7.4] ng/L in the ACI-24, 1000 μg, group)
normalities due to vasogenic edema and sulcal effusions or (Figure 3).
hemosiderin deposition or central nervous system inflamma-
tion were noted in MRI results at any time during the Exploratory Biomarkers
study. No consistent changes in brain volume were noted in Exploratory analyses included measurement of serum neuro-
participants receiving either dose of ACI-24 compared filament light levels in all participants and cerebrospinal fluid
with those receiving placebo. There were no changes in re- tau, phosphorylated tau threonine 181, and neurogranin lev-
sults on the Columbia–Suicide Severity Rating Scale (eTable in els in the only 3 participants (1 in the ACI-24, 300 μg, group
Supplement 2). and 2 in the ACI-24, 1000 μg, group) who underwent cerebro-
spinal fluid sampling. In addition, whole brain volumetric
Immunogenicity assessments were performed. No consistent changes in these
Anti–Aβ1-42 IgG levels were measured at screening, before any biomarkers were observed in this small sample (eFigure 4 in
injections were administered, at weeks 2 and 4 after injec- Supplement 2).
tions were administered, and at weeks 60, 72, and 96 during
the follow-up period. The mean absolute free anti–Aβ1-42 IgG Clinical and Cognitive Outcomes
titers per treatment arm are shown in Figure 2. Increased ti- Similar to the other exploratory biomarkers, no consistent
ters were observed in 4 of 12 participants (33.3%) receiving changes from baseline were noted in scores on the Brief Praxis
ACI-24 (2 receiving 300 μg and 2 receiving 1000 μg) com- Test; scores on the motor control, reaction time, or paired as-
pared with 0 participants receiving placebo. Individual IgG sociative learning scales on the Cambridge Neuropsychologi-
titers are shown in eFigure 3 in Supplement 2. The partial re- cal Test Automated Battery; or scores on the Vineland II Adap-
sponse in immunogenicity may have contributed to the good tive Behavior Scales (eFigure 5 in Supplement 2). No differences
safety profile. in clinical or cognitive outcomes were observed; however, the
study was underpowered to detect any changes.
Amyloid-Related Biomarkers
Plasma Amyloid-β 1-40 and Amyloid-β 1-42
Similar to immunogenicity, variability in plasma Aβ levels were
observed at baseline. A greater increase in plasma Aβ1-40 and
Discussion
Aβ1-42 levels was found in participants who received either In this randomized clinical trial, the ACI-24 vaccine was found
dose of ACI-24 compared with those who received placebo, to be safe and well tolerated at the 2 subcutaneous doses (300
with higher levels toward the end of the safety observation pe- μg and 1000 μg) assessed. No deaths, serious AEs, or TEAEs
riod (mean [SD] changes in plasma Aβ1-40 level: increase of leading to study withdrawal were reported during the study.
11.0 [41.5] ng/L in the placebo group; increase of 108.2 [49.2] There were no episodes of central nervous system inflamma-
ng/L in the ACI-24, 300 μg, group; and increase of 112.3 [26.9] tion or amyloid-related imaging abnormalities due to vaso-
ng/L in the ACI-24, 1000 μg, group; mean [SD] changes in genic edema and sulcal effusions or hemosiderin deposition.
plasma Aβ1-42 level: decrease of 6.5 [9.8] ng/L in the placebo Injection site reactions, which were mild and self-limiting in
groups; increase of 11.7 [5.0] ng/L in the ACI-24, 300 μg, group; nature, were reported in 3 of 6 participants (50.0%) in the

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Research Original Investigation Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome

Figure 3. Amyloid-β (Aβ) 1-40 and Aβ 1-42 Levels in Plasma of Modified Intention-to-Treat Population by Study Visit

A Amyloid-β 1-40 levels

300
Mean absolute Aβ1-40, ng/L

200

100

ACI-24, 300 μg
ACI-24, 1000 μg
Pooled placebo

–2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96
Week

B Aβ 1-42 levels
80

60
Mean absolute Aβ 1-42, ng/L

40

20

–20

–2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96
Week

Whiskers represent 95% CIs. Arrows indicate time points of study drug administration.

ACI-24, 1000 μg, group, and no injection site reactions were the duration of this phase 1b study (ie, 96 weeks) may not
observed in the ACI-24, 300 μg, group or the placebo groups. have been sufficient to detect clinical or cognitive changes
Four of 12 individuals who received ACI-24 (2 in each dose among individuals in this age range. The scales proved fea-
cohort) showed anti-Aβ IgG response compared with 0 indi- sible for use among the study participants, despite their
viduals in the placebo group. The interpretation of this find- intellectual impairment. It should be noted that an original
ing is complicated by the existing baseline levels of anti– plan to include the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of
Aβ1-42 IgG in this group, which is thought to reflect a response Neuropsychological Status33 was abandoned early in the
to the Aβ protein in individuals with DS.31 Notably, there was study when it became clear that many participants could not
evidence for peripheral target engagement with time in the ac- complete the assessment because of the amount of time
tively treated groups, as assessed by an increase in plasma required.
Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels (Figure 3). Evidence of immunogenicity was observed in 4 of 12 par-
The lack of performance decline on the cognitive scales ticipants who received treatment with this T-cell indepen-
among participants randomized to the placebo groups could dent vaccine, as were pharmacodynamic and target engage-
be explained by the relatively young age of the participants ment effects, which were reflected by a greater increase in
(ie, younger than the onset of the clinical stage of AD, which plasma Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels in treatment groups com-
is expected only after age 40 years32). This finding confirms pared with placebo groups. Notably, the anti-Aβ antibody ti-
the importance of including older participants in future ters observed were not associated with any adverse findings,
studies examining effects on cognitive decline. In addition, which supports the performance of future clinical trials to

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Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome Original Investigation Research

assess the effect of an optimized vaccine formulation among given the expected lack of power to discern difference in treat-
individuals with DS. ment arms. However, it is notable that, despite clear signs of
vaccine-induced immune response, none of the participants
Strengths and Limitations showed any adverse safety findings.
This study has strengths. To our knowledge, the study is the
first randomized clinical trial of an antiamyloid vaccine among
adults with DS. The study also demonstrated that it is pos-
sible to successfully conduct multicenter clinical trials of an-
Conclusions
tiamyloid immunotherapies among adults with DS. Further- In this randomized clinical trial of adults with DS, the T-cell
more, evidence of pharmacodynamic and peripheral target independent antiamyloid ACI-24 vaccine was safe, well toler-
engagement suggests the generation of a polyclonal antibody ated, and able to induce an anti-Aβ IgG response in 4 of 12 adults
response to the vaccine target. with DS at the 2 doses of study drug tested. These findings sup-
The study also has limitations. First, currently available port the further development of an optimized formulation of
assays are limited in their ability to detect this polyclonal re- ACI-24 for the treatment of adults with DS, with the goal of im-
sponse. Second, amyloid positron emission tomographic proving immunogenicity and consistency of response as a po-
imaging was not incorporated into the design of this small study tential avenue for the prevention of AD in individuals with DS.

ARTICLE INFORMATION Health (NIH) and personal fees from AC Immune personal fees from AC Immune during the conduct
Accepted for Publication: February 11, 2022. during the conduct of the study and personal fees of the study and receiving personal fees from AC
from Alzheon and Keystone Bio outside the Immune outside the submitted work. Dr Melo dos
Published Online: May 9, 2022. submitted work. Dr Sol reported receiving personal Santos reported receiving grants from the LuMind
doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.0983 fees from AC Immune outside the submitted work. IDSC Foundation and the NIH and personal fees
Author Affiliations: Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Dr Mobley reported receiving grants from AC from AC Immune during the conduct of the study
Research Institute, Keck School of Medicine, Immune, the LuMind IDSC Foundation, and the NIH and receiving personal fees from AC Immune
University of Southern California, San Diego, San and personal fees from AC Immune during the outside the submitted work. Dr Hliva reported
Diego (Rafii); AC Immune SA, Lausanne, conduct of the study; grants from AC Immune, receiving grants from the LuMind IDSC Foundation
Switzerland (Sol, Delpretti, Beth, Fournier, Gray, Annovis Bio, and Samumed (now Biosplice and the NIH and personal fees from AC Immune
dos Santos, Hliva, Vukicevic, Kosco-Vilbois, Streffer, Therapeutics); personal fees from AC Immune, during the conduct of the study and receiving
Pfeifer); Department of Neuroscience, University of Alzheon, Annovis Bio, Cortexyme, Pfizer, and personal fees from AC Immune outside the
California, San Diego, San Diego (Mobley, Rissman); Samumed (now Biosplice Therapeutics); serving as submitted work. Dr Vukicevic reported receiving
Down Syndrome Program, Division of Medical a board member of ProMIS Neurosciences; owning grants from the LuMind IDSC Foundation and the
Genetics and Metabolism, Department of stock options in CuraSen Therapeutics; and owning NIH and personal fees from AC Immune during the
Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston a patent for a gamma secretase modulator (licensed conduct of the study and receiving personal fees
(Skotko, Pulsifer, C. Evans); Barrow Neurological to the University of California, San Diego [UCSD]) from AC Immune outside the submitted work.
Institute, Phoenix, Arizona (Burke, Sabbagh); outside the submitted work. Dr Delpretti reported Dr Kosco-Vilbois reported receiving grants from the
Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, receiving grants from the LuMind IDSC Foundation LuMind IDSC Foundation and the NIH and personal
Minneapolis (Yuan); Department of Neuroscience, and the NIH and personal fees from AC Immune fees from AC Immune during the conduct of the
University of California, San Diego, San Diego during the conduct of the study and receiving study. Dr Streffer reported receiving grants from
(A. C. Evans, Feldman); Alzheimer’s Disease personal fees from AC Immune outside the the LuMind IDSC Foundation and the NIH and
Cooperative Study, University of California, submitted work. Dr Skotko reported receiving personal fees from AC Immune during the conduct
San Diego, San Diego (Feldman). grants from UCSD during the conduct of the study; of the study and receiving personal fees from AC
Author Contributions: Drs Rafii and Sol had full grants from F. Hoffmann-La Roche and the LuMind Immune outside the submitted work. Dr Pfeifer
access to all of the data in the study and take IDSC Foundation; personal fees from the Gerson reported receiving personal fees from AC Immune
responsibility for the integrity of the data and the Lehrman Group; and royalties from Woodbine during the conduct of the study and outside the
accuracy of the data analysis. House and serving on the honorary board of submitted work. Dr Feldman reported receiving
Concept and design: Rafii, Sol, Gray, Pfeifer. directors of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome grants from AC Immune and the NIH during the
Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Congress and the professional advisory committee conduct of the study and receiving grants from
All authors. of the National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Annovis Bio, Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding
Drafting of the manuscript: Rafii, Sol, Burke, Down Syndrome Resources outside the submitted Company, the LuMind IDSC Foundation, and
Rissman, Beth, Gray, Vukicevic, Kosco-Vilbois, work. Dr Sabbagh reported receiving personal fees Vivoryon Therapeutics and personal fees from the
Streffer, Pfeifer, Feldman. from Biogen, Cortexyme, Eisai Co, Eli Lilly and World Events Forum and serving as a consultant for
Critical revision of the manuscript for important Company, Qynapse, Renew Research, Roche, and Arkuda Therapeutics, Axon Neuroscience, Biosplice
intellectual content: Rafii, Sol, Mobley, Delpretti, T3D Therapeutics and owning stock in Alzheon, Therapeutics, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Novo
Skotko, Burke, Sabbagh, Yuan, Rissman, Pulsifer, Athira Pharma, Cognoptix, and uMethodHealth Nordisk, Roche/Genentech, Samus Therapeutics,
C. Evans, A.C. Evans, Fournier, Gray, Melo dos outside the submitted work. Dr Evans reported and the Tau Consortium outside the submitted
Santos, Hliva, Vukicevic, Kosco-Vilbois, Streffer, receiving grants from the LuMind IDCS Foundation work. No other disclosures were reported.
Pfeifer, Feldman. during the conduct of the study. Dr Beth reported Funding/Support: This study was sponsored by
Statistical analysis: Rafii, Pulsifer, Fournier, Streffer. receiving grants from the LuMind IDCS Foundation AC Immune and supported by grant R01AG047922
Obtained funding: Rafii, Feldman. and the NIH and personal fees from AC Immune from the NIH (Dr Rafii).
Administrative, technical, or material support: Rafii, during the conduct of the study and receiving
personal fees from AC Immune outside the Role of the Funder/Sponsor: AC Immune
Sol, Mobley, Delpretti, Yuan, Rissman, C. Evans, participated in study design, study research, data
A.C. Evans, Beth, Gray, Melo dos Santos, Hliva, submitted work. Dr Fournier reported receiving
grants from the LuMind IDSC Foundation and the collection, data analysis, and data interpretation
Pfeifer, Feldman. and writing, review, and approval of the
Supervision: Rafii, Sol, Mobley, Skotko, Yuan, Hliva, NIH and personal fees from AC Immune during the
conduct of the study and receiving personal fees manuscript. All authors had full access to the data,
Kosco-Vilbois, Streffer, Pfeifer. participated in the development and review of the
from AC Immune outside the submitted work.
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Rafii reported Dr Gray reported receiving grants from AC Immune, manuscript, take full responsibility for the content,
receiving grants from the National Institutes of the LuMind IDSC Foundation and the NIH and

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Research Original Investigation Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of ACI-24 Vaccine in Adults With Down Syndrome

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