Dr. Sadoff studies vaccines that help the body fight off various viruses and diseases, focusing on their ability to induce strong immune responses. His research covers conditions such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which can lead to cervical cancer, influenza, and COVID-19. He investigates how well these vaccines work in different groups of people, including those with weakened immune systems, adolescents, and those with existing clotting conditions. Dr. Sadoff's studies also explore how vaccines can protect against viral variants and the duration of immunity following vaccination.
Key findings
In a study on an HPV vaccine, 5 out of 5 women with persistent HPV infections showed no detectable HPV after vaccination for about a year, demonstrating strong efficacy.
A new flu vaccine elicited 6.5 to 16.4 times more antibodies compared to traditional vaccines, indicating better immune protection against various flu strains.
Research found a vaccine efficacy of 84.5% against severe COVID-19 for those with high antibody levels, with protection dropping significantly for other variants.
In a study on COVID-19 booster shots, participants receiving a mixed vaccine regimen had 12.6 to 22.0 times higher neutralizing antibodies compared to those receiving the same vaccine.
Vaccines demonstrated similar effectiveness in individuals with weakened immune systems as in those with normal immune systems, showing equitable protection at around 63.1% to 95.1% against severe disease.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Sadoff study HPV?
Yes, Dr. Sadoff researches vaccines that target HPV, specifically focusing on preventing HPV-related diseases like cervical cancer.
What treatments has Dr. Sadoff researched?
He has researched several vaccines, including those for HPV, influenza, and COVID-19, aiming to enhance their safety and effectiveness.
Is Dr. Sadoff's work relevant to patients with compromised immune systems?
Yes, his research includes studies on how well COVID-19 vaccines work in individuals with weakened immune systems, showing comparable protection to the general population.
What are the benefits of the vaccines researched by Dr. Sadoff?
The vaccines he studies are designed to provide strong immune responses, improve protection against viral variants, and ensure safety across diverse patient groups.
How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Dr. Sadoff?
His studies indicate that COVID-19 vaccines, particularly the Ad26.COV2.S, can offer efficacy rates ranging from 63.1% to 95.1% against severe disease, depending on antibody levels.
Publications in plain English
A group 1 hemagglutinin stem vaccine elicits broad humoral responses against influenza in phase 1/2a study.
2026
Nature communications
Hertoghs N, Tang C, van Paassen V, Jongeneelen M, Tolboom J +14 more
Plain English This study looked at a new type of flu vaccine that targets a part of the virus called the hemagglutinin (HA) stem. Researchers found that a single dose of this vaccine led to strong immune responses, producing 6.5 to 16.4 times more antibodies against certain flu strains compared to traditional flu vaccines. This is important because it suggests that this new vaccine could offer better and longer-lasting protection against various types of influenza.
Who this helps: This helps patients and the broader community by potentially providing more effective flu protection.
An Ad26-MVA-BN-based therapeutic vaccine targeting HPV16 and HPV18 related disease is immunogenic in preclinical models and in women with persistent HPV infections.
2026
Clinical & translational immunology
Khan S, Boedhoe S, Baert M, Serroyen J, Verbinnen T +11 more
Plain English This study tested a new vaccine designed to fight human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, which are linked to cervical cancer. The researchers found that the vaccine prompted strong immune responses in mice and monkeys, and in a small group of women with persistent HPV infections, 5 out of 5 women showed no detectable HPV after vaccination over about a year. This matters because it could lead to a new way to prevent HPV-related cervical disease and reduce cancer rates.
Who this helps: This helps patients at risk of cervical cancer and healthcare providers involved in HPV treatment.
Comparison of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis cases following two adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccines.
2025
Communications medicine
Van Rampelbergh R, Pavord S, Anaya-Velarde L, van Paassen V, Hardt K +10 more
Plain English Researchers studied cases of a rare condition called vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) following two COVID-19 vaccines: Ad26.COV2.S and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. They found that the average age of patients affected was around 43 years for Ad26.COV2.S and 48 years for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, with a mortality rate of 30% for Ad26.COV2.S and 22% for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. The study concluded there was no significant difference in VITT cases between the two vaccines, suggesting that variations may be due to the different populations vaccinated rather than the vaccines themselves.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients and healthcare providers by providing insights into vaccine safety and outcomes.
Vaccine-induced T cell responses correlate with reduced risk of severe COVID-19 in a placebo-controlled efficacy trial.
2025
EBioMedicine
Hertoghs N, Roels S, Brückner M, Sadoff J, Banbury BL +10 more
Plain English Researchers studied how the body's T cells, which are part of the immune system, respond to COVID-19 vaccines and how this response relates to the severity of the disease. They found that people with stronger vaccine-induced T cell responses had a lower risk of developing severe COVID-19, with significant numbers showing that these T cell responses correlated with a decreased risk of severe cases among vaccinated individuals. This matters because it highlights the importance of T cell responses in protecting against severe illness from COVID-19, even if it does not prevent all symptomatic infections.
Who this helps: This helps patients by reinforcing the significance of vaccination in reducing the severity of COVID-19.
Immune correlates analysis of antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants in the ENSEMBLE vaccine efficacy trial.
2025
iScience
Luedtke A, Fong Y, van der Laan L, Heng F, Huang Y +64 more
Plain English This study looked at how well the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine works against different COVID-19 variants by measuring antibody levels in people four weeks after vaccination. They found that higher levels of antibodies corresponded to better protection against the original virus and some variants, such as the Ancestral variant, with vaccine efficacy reaching 84.5% for those with high antibody levels. However, protection was much lower for the Lambda variant at low antibody levels, highlighting that some variants pose a greater challenge for the vaccine.
Who this helps: This helps vaccine developers and health officials understand how to improve vaccine effectiveness against emerging COVID-19 variants.
Safety, Immunogenicity, and Regimen Selection of Ad26.RSV.preF-Based Vaccine Combinations: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 1/2a Study.
2024
The Journal of infectious diseases
Comeaux CA, Bart S, Bastian AR, Klyashtornyy V, De Paepe E +6 more
Plain English This study examined a new RSV vaccine called Ad26.RSV.preF, specifically its safety and immune response in adults aged 60 and older. Researchers found that combining this vaccine with an additional RSV protein resulted in stronger immune responses compared to the vaccine alone. All tested regimens were well tolerated, and the immune effects lasted up to 1.5 years, suggesting the combination may be more effective.
Who this helps: This research benefits older adults at risk for severe RSV infection.
Absolute quantitation of binding antibodies from clinical samples.
2024
NPJ vaccines
Tang C, Verwilligen A, Sadoff J, Brandenburg B, Sneekes-Vriese E +13 more
Plain English This study focused on improving the way scientists measure antibodies in blood samples, which is important for developing vaccines and treatments. The researchers created a new method called MASCALE that uses advanced technology to provide precise amounts of antibodies instead of vague reference values. They found that this approach helps standardize results between different labs and improves understanding of immune responses, specifically in relation to an experimental HIV vaccine.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and healthcare professionals developing vaccines and therapies, particularly for conditions like HIV.
Quantifying how single dose Ad26.COV2.S vaccine efficacy depends on Spike sequence features.
2024
Nature communications
Magaret CA, Li L, deCamp AC, Rolland M, Juraska M +45 more
Plain English This study looked at how effective the single-dose Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine is against different variants of the virus, focusing particularly on the Spike protein's sequence. They found that the vaccine was 56% effective overall but was less effective (especially against the Lambda variant) in Latin America, and its effectiveness dropped as the virus varied further from the vaccine's targeted sequence. This matters because understanding these variations can help improve vaccine strategies and responses to emerging variants.
Who this helps: This helps patients and public health officials in managing COVID-19 responses.
COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy in Participants With Weakened Immune Systems From 4 Randomized Controlled Trials.
2024
Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Sherman AC, Tuan J, Cantos VD, Adeyiga O, Mahoney S +25 more
Plain English This study looked at how well COVID-19 vaccines work in people with weakened immune systems compared to those with normal immune systems. It analyzed data from four clinical trials and found that the vaccines significantly reduced the risk of getting COVID-19 symptoms or severe illness for everyone involved, including those with weakened immune systems. Importantly, the effectiveness of the vaccines was about the same for both groups, meaning that people with mild immunocompromising conditions can expect similar protection from the vaccines as the general population.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with weakened immune systems, ensuring they receive comparable vaccine protection against COVID-19.
B cell somatic hypermutation following COVID-19 vaccination with Ad26.COV2.S.
2024
iScience
Jacob-Dolan C, Lifton M, Powers OC, Miller J, Hachmann NP +11 more
Plain English This study focused on how the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine affects the body's immune response over time. Researchers found that over eight months, the vaccine boosted the ability of specific antibodies to fight off different variants of the virus, with the mutations in those antibodies making them more effective. This matters because it shows that the vaccine not only helps to create a strong initial immune response but also improves that response against new variants over time.
Who this helps: Patients receiving the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine.
Safety and immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S in adults: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a dose-finding study.
2024
Vaccine
Cárdenas V, Le Gars M, Truyers C, Ruiz-Guiñazú J, Struyf F +7 more
Plain English This study looked at a COVID-19 vaccine called Ad26.COV2.S to see how different doses and schedules affect safety and immune response in adults. Researchers found that a single dose of 5 billion viral particles was well tolerated and produced strong immune responses that lasted for at least six months. Additionally, giving two doses with a longer gap improved the immune response even more, suggesting that this vaccine schedule is effective in helping the body remember how to fight off COVID-19.
Who this helps: This benefits patients by providing effective vaccination strategies against COVID-19.
Safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S as homologous or heterologous COVID-19 booster vaccination: Results of a randomized, double-blind, phase 2 trial.
2024
Vaccine
Le Gars M, Sadoff J, Cárdenas V, Heerwegh D, Tesfaye F +8 more
Plain English This study looked at the effectiveness and safety of a COVID-19 booster vaccine called Ad26.COV2.S, given either after another dose of the same vaccine or following a different vaccine. Participants were given varying doses, and the results showed that those who received the different vaccine (heterologous boost) had significantly higher neutralizing antibodies—between 12.6 and 22.0 times greater—compared to those who had the same vaccine (homologous boost), which showed increases of 5.5 to 6.8 times. This matters because it indicates that mixing vaccines may provide better protection against COVID-19 variants while still being safe and well-tolerated.
Who this helps: This helps patients looking for effective COVID-19 booster options.
Roels S, Bruckner M, Sadoff J, Cárdenas V, Tang C +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how well COVID-19 booster shots boost the immune response in people who received different initial vaccines. Researchers found that higher levels of certain antibodies in the blood, measured about 15 days after the booster shot, were linked to a lower risk of getting symptomatic COVID-19. For instance, higher antibody levels were consistently associated with a reduced chance of illness after receiving the booster, which is important as new variants of the virus emerge.
Who this helps: This helps patients seeking to understand their COVID-19 risk after vaccination.
Assessment of antibodies against platelet factor 4 following vaccination with adenovirus type 26-vectored vaccines.
2024
Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH
Kristyanto H, Slaets L, Braams E, Scheys I, Heesbeen R +8 more
Plain English This study looked at whether a specific antibody related to blood clotting, called PF4, was produced after people received a type of COVID-19 vaccine known as Ad26.COV2.S. They tested 913 people who got the COVID-19 vaccine and found that only 1 person developed the VITT condition, with no PF4 antibodies before vaccination, while the vaccine didn't raise PF4 antibodies in the majority of those without clotting issues. The findings show that the vaccine generally does not trigger PF4 antibodies or increase levels in those who already had them, which is important because it helps establish the safety of these vaccines regarding thrombosis risk.
Who this helps: This information benefits patients receiving adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines and doctors administering them.
Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 Vaccine Safety And Immunogenicity in Adolescents 16-17 Years of Age.
2024
Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Ruiz-Guiñazú J, Le Gars M, Cárdenas V, Vaissière N, Sadoff J +7 more
Plain English Researchers studied the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents aged 16-17 to see how safe it is and how well it works. They found that this vaccine triggered strong antibody responses that lasted for at least six months, and the safety profile was acceptable. In fact, teens produced higher levels of antibodies than adults who received a larger dose of the same vaccine.
Who this helps: This benefits teenagers receiving the vaccine.
Neutralizing antibody correlate of protection against severe-critical COVID-19 in the ENSEMBLE single-dose Ad26.COV2.S vaccine efficacy trial.
2024
Nature communications
Carpp LN, Hyrien O, Fong Y, Benkeser D, Roels S +56 more
Plain English This study looked at how well the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine protects against severe cases of COVID-19 by measuring the levels of certain antibodies in vaccinated individuals over 220 days. The researchers found that higher levels of neutralizing antibodies significantly reduce the risk of severe COVID-19, with a protection rate increasing from 63.1% at low antibody levels to 95.1% at higher levels. Understanding these antibody levels helps determine how effectively the vaccine can prevent severe disease, which is crucial for public health strategies.
Who this helps: This benefits patients and healthcare providers by guiding vaccination strategies and improving patient protection against severe COVID-19.
Quantifying Antibody Persistence After a Single Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Ad26.COV2.S in Humans Using a Mechanistic Modeling and Simulation Approach.
2023
Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Dari A, Boulton M, Neyens M, Le Gars M, Valenzuela B +6 more
Plain English This study looked at how long antibody levels last after a single dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in adults. Researchers found that while antibodies persisted for up to 24 months, they began to decrease significantly, especially in older adults and men. For instance, the antibody production was slower in older participants compared to younger ones and women produced antibodies more rapidly than men.
Who this helps: This information is valuable for patients and healthcare providers in understanding how long vaccine protection lasts, especially for older adults and men.
Efficacy and Safety of an Ad26.RSV.preF-RSV preF Protein Vaccine in Older Adults.
2023
The New England journal of medicine
Falsey AR, Williams K, Gymnopoulou E, Bart S, Ervin J +11 more
Plain English Researchers studied a new vaccine aimed at protecting adults aged 65 and older from a serious lung infection caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In a trial with nearly 5,800 participants, the vaccine reduced cases of RSV-related respiratory disease by about 80% in one measure and showed significant immune responses, with antibody levels rising more than 12 times after vaccination. Although more people experienced mild side effects from the vaccine compared to those who received a placebo, the overall safety profile was similar, with no increase in serious adverse events.
Who this helps: This benefits older adults who are at higher risk for severe RSV infections.
Psychometric evaluation of the Symptoms of Infection with Coronavirus-19 (SIC): results from a cross-sectional study and a phase 3 clinical trial.
2023
Journal of patient-reported outcomes
Chan EKH, Williams V, Romano C, Fehnel S, Slagle AF +11 more
Plain English This study focused on evaluating a tool called the Symptoms of Infection with Coronavirus-19 (SIC), which helps measure COVID-19 symptoms reported by patients. Researchers found that among 152 participants, the most common symptoms were fatigue (77.6%), feeling unwell (65.8%), and cough (60.5%). The SIC was shown to be reliable and valid for capturing symptoms, making it a useful tool in studies about vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.
Who this helps: This helps patients, doctors, and researchers working on COVID-19 treatments.
Modifiers of COVID-19 vaccine efficacy: Results from four COVID-19 prevention network efficacy trials.
2023
Vaccine
Turley CB, Tables L, Fuller T, Sanders LJ, Scott H +31 more
Plain English This study examined how various personal and environmental factors might affect the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines by analyzing data from four major clinical trials involving over 114,480 adults. The researchers found that the vaccines worked similarly well across different groups of people, regardless of age, health conditions, or where they lived, showing the vaccines were effective against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. This is important because it confirms that these vaccines are reliable tools for protecting people from the virus, particularly older adults and those with health issues.
Who this helps: Patients, especially older individuals and those with underlying health conditions.
Quantifying how single dose Ad26.COV2.S vaccine efficacy depends on Spike sequence features.
2023
Research square
Magaret C, Li L, deCamp A, Rolland M, Juraska M +38 more
Plain English This study looked at how the effectiveness of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine against COVID-19 changes based on the genetic features of the virus. It found that the vaccine was 56% effective overall but performed worse against certain variants, especially the Lambda variant in Latin America. The distance of the virus's spike protein from the vaccine strain significantly affected how well the vaccine worked, meaning that better-matching viruses led to higher vaccine effectiveness.
Who this helps: This information is important for doctors and public health officials to understand vaccine performance and guide vaccination strategies.
Clinical and Demographic Factors Associated With COVID-19, Severe COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Adults: A Secondary Cross-Protocol Analysis of 4 Randomized Clinical Trials.
2023
JAMA network open
Theodore DA, Branche AR, Zhang L, Graciaa DS, Choudhary M +26 more
Plain English This study examined factors that influence the chances of getting COVID-19 and experiencing severe illness from it by analyzing data from nearly 58,000 participants across four vaccine trials. Researchers found that 13.9% of participants got COVID-19, with higher risks linked to workplace exposure and poor living conditions. Notably, older age and previous infections seemed to lower the risk of severe illness, while certain racial groups and having diabetes increased the risk.
Who this helps: This information benefits public health officials and healthcare providers in identifying and supporting at-risk populations.
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome: A database review of clinical trial and post-marketing experience with Ad26.COV2.S.
2023
Vaccine
Struyf F, Hardt K, Van Rampelbergh R, Shukarev G, Inamdar A +10 more
Plain English This study looked at a rare condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which has been reported after people received the COVID-19 vaccine Ad26.COV2.S. Researchers found 34 cases of TTS among vaccine recipients, which translates to about 46 cases per 100,000 people per year, and concluded that most cases of thrombosis and low platelet counts reported were not actually TTS. Understanding these findings is important because it helps clarify the risks associated with this specific vaccine.
Who this helps: This information benefits patients and healthcare providers by clarifying vaccine safety.
Mechanistic modeling projections of antibody persistence after homologous booster regimens of COVID-19 vaccine Ad26.COV2.S in humans.
2023
CPT: pharmacometrics & systems pharmacology
Dari A, Jacqmin P, Iwaki Y, Neyens M, Le Gars M +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how long antibodies last after people receive the COVID-19 vaccine Ad26.COV2.S, either as one dose or with booster shots given after 2, 3, or 6 months. The researchers found that after a single dose, about 70% of people still had detectable binding antibodies and 55% had neutralizing antibodies after 24 months. However, when booster shots were given, these numbers rose significantly to at least 90% for binding antibodies and 80% for neutralizing antibodies, especially showing that older men may experience a quicker decline in antibody levels but benefit from boosters.
Who this helps: This information benefits patients, especially older adults, by highlighting the importance of booster shots to maintain immunity.
Persistence of immunological memory as a potential correlate of long-term, vaccine-induced protection against Ebola virus disease in humans.
2023
Frontiers in immunology
McLean C, Dijkman K, Gaddah A, Keshinro B, Katwere M +15 more
Plain English This study looked at how long the immune system's memory lasts after vaccination against Ebola and how that could protect people over time. Researchers found that vaccine-induced antibodies in humans can stay stable for at least 3.8 years, and even after booster shots, the immune system responds well to re-exposure to the virus. This is important because it suggests that people vaccinated against Ebola might have long-term protection without needing frequent booster shots.
Who this helps: This benefits patients who have received the Ebola vaccine, as well as healthcare providers managing their care.
Vaccine-induced antibody Fc-effector functions in humans immunized with a combination Ad26.RSV.preF/RSV preF protein vaccine.
2023
Journal of virology
Bartsch YC, Cizmeci D, Yuan D, Mehta N, Tolboom J +8 more
Plain English Researchers studied how a new vaccine called Ad26.RSV.preF/RSV preF protein affects the immune system in adults 60 years and older, looking specifically at the immune responses it triggers. They found that this vaccine successfully activates certain immune functions that help protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an illness that can be serious for older adults. This is important because it shows promise for preventing RSV-related illnesses when there are few treatment options available.
Who this helps: Older adults at risk for RSV.
Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Healthy Adults by a Single Immunization of Ad26.RSV.preF in a Human Challenge Study.
2022
The Journal of infectious diseases
Sadoff J, De Paepe E, DeVincenzo J, Gymnopoulou E, Menten J +12 more
Plain English This study focused on a potential vaccine called Ad26.RSV.preF, which is designed to protect healthy adults from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that can cause severe illness, especially in children and older adults. The results showed that people who received the vaccine had significantly lower viral loads and fewer infections compared to those who received a placebo—specifically, only 40.7% of vaccine recipients got RSV vs. 65.4% of those with the placebo. This matters because it suggests that the vaccine could help prevent RSV infections in healthy adults, paving the way for safer environments for vulnerable groups.
Who this helps: This helps patients, especially children and older adults at risk for severe RSV illness.
Passive transfer of Ad26.COV2.S-elicited IgG from humans attenuates SARS-CoV-2 disease in hamsters.
2022
NPJ vaccines
Tostanoski LH, Chandrashekar A, Patel S, Yu J, Jacob-Dolan C +30 more
Plain English The study looked at whether antibodies from humans vaccinated with the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 by testing them in hamsters. Researchers found that antibodies from vaccinated individuals significantly reduced weight loss in hamsters exposed to the virus, while antibodies from unvaccinated individuals had no effect. This matters because it shows that the antibodies produced by the vaccine can help protect against COVID-19, suggesting their potential role in treatment and prevention strategies.
Who this helps: This helps patients at risk of severe COVID-19 infections.
Final Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Single-Dose Ad26.COV2.S.
2022
The New England journal of medicine
Sadoff J, Gray G, Vandebosch A, Cárdenas V, Shukarev G +25 more
Plain English The study focused on the effectiveness and safety of a single dose of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine for COVID-19. It found that this vaccine provided 52.9% protection against moderate to severe cases of COVID-19 after 28 days, and it was even more effective against severe disease, hospitalization, and death, with rates of 74.6% and 82.8% respectively. This matters because it shows that the vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes, even against different variants of the virus.
Who this helps: This benefits patients by providing an effective option for COVID-19 prevention.
Impact of Preexisting Anti-Adenovirus 26 Humoral Immunity on Immunogenicity of the Ad26.COV2.S Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine.
2022
The Journal of infectious diseases
Le Gars M, Sadoff J, Struyf F, Heerwegh D, Truyers C +6 more
Plain English This study looked at how existing immunity to a virus called adenovirus 26 affected the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine Ad26.COV2.S among 380 people in Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. It found that in Brazil, 31% and in South Africa, 66% of people had some level of immunity to adenovirus 26 before getting vaccinated, but this didn't affect how their bodies responded to the COVID-19 vaccine, as all groups showed similar antibody levels afterward. This matters because understanding these immune responses helps improve vaccine strategies.
Who this helps: This helps vaccine developers and healthcare professionals.
Immune Correlates Analysis of a Single Ad26.COV2.S Dose in the ENSEMBLE COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy Clinical Trial.
2022
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences
Fong Y, McDermott AB, Benkeser D, Roels S, Stieh DJ +56 more
Plain English This study looked at how well a single dose of the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine protects against severe COVID-19 infection by measuring certain immune responses four weeks after vaccination. Researchers found that the level of neutralizing antibodies (which help fight the virus) was a strong indicator of protection: a higher antibody level was linked with a lower risk of severe illness, with vaccine efficacy being 89% at higher antibody levels compared to 60% at lower levels. These findings show that measuring antibody levels can help determine how well the vaccine works.
Who this helps: This benefits patients by providing insight into vaccine effectiveness and guiding vaccination strategies.
Durable antibody responses elicited by 1 dose of Ad26.COV2.S and substantial increase after boosting: 2 randomized clinical trials.
2022
Vaccine
Sadoff J, Le Gars M, Brandenburg B, Cárdenas V, Shukarev G +14 more
Plain English This research looked at how well a single dose of the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine works over time and how much boosting the vaccine can help increase immunity. The study found that people had stable antibody responses for 8-9 months after the first shot, and after a booster shot, antibody levels rose significantly—by nearly 6 times within 2 weeks and 9 times within a week for some types of antibodies. This is important because it shows that a booster can greatly enhance protection against COVID-19, especially in older adults.
Who this helps: This helps patients, particularly those who received the single-dose vaccine and need extra protection from COVID-19.
Immunogenicity and efficacy of Ad26.COV2.S: An adenoviral vector-based COVID-19 vaccine.
2022
Immunological reviews
Le Gars M, Hendriks J, Sadoff J, Ryser M, Struyf F +2 more
Plain English This study looked at a COVID-19 vaccine called Ad26.COV2.S to see how well it works and how strong the immune response is. The vaccine generates strong immune responses that protect against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, including new variants. It also shows that one dose can provide effective protection, and using it as a booster after an mRNA vaccine improves the immune response even more.
Who this helps: This helps patients and health systems manage COVID-19 more effectively.
Development of a novel patient-reported outcome measure to assess signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
2022
Journal of patient-reported outcomes
Romano C, Fehnel S, Stoddard J, Sadoff J, Lewis S +7 more
Plain English Researchers created a new tool called SIC (Symptoms of Infection with Coronavirus-19) to help track the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 as reported by patients. After interviewing 31 participants and reviewing 39 scientific articles, they found 30 different symptoms related to COVID-19 and developed a system for measuring them, including the severity of 25 symptoms using a simple 11-point scale. This tool is important because it helps clinicians and researchers better understand and evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in clinical studies for vaccines and treatments.
Who this helps: This benefits patients, doctors, and researchers studying COVID-19.
Durability of Heterologous and Homologous COVID-19 Vaccine Boosts.
2022
JAMA network open
Tan CS, Collier AY, Yu J, Liu J, Chandrashekar A +20 more
Plain English This study looked at how well different COVID-19 vaccine boosters work for people who initially received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. It found that boosting with the same BNT162b2 vaccine led to a peak increase in protective antibodies against the Omicron variant at a very high level, but these decreased significantly after 16 weeks. On the other hand, boosting with the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine resulted in a smaller peak increase in antibodies but maintained a more consistent level of immune response over time.
Who this helps: This information benefits patients who need COVID-19 boosters, especially those concerned about long-term protection against variants like Omicron.
Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of a booster regimen of Ad26.COV2.S vaccine against COVID-19 (ENSEMBLE2): results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.
2022
The Lancet. Infectious diseases
Hardt K, Vandebosch A, Sadoff J, Le Gars M, Truyers C +13 more
Plain English This study looked at the effectiveness and safety of a booster shot of the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine, given two months after the initial dose. Researchers found that the booster shot provided 75.2% protection against moderate to severe COVID-19 cases, compared to those who received a placebo. Most side effects were mild and temporary, meaning the booster is safe to use.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients who have received the initial vaccine and need additional protection against COVID-19.
Immune correlates analysis of the ENSEMBLE single Ad26.COV2.S dose vaccine efficacy clinical trial.
2022
Nature microbiology
Fong Y, McDermott AB, Benkeser D, Roels S, Stieh DJ +56 more
Plain English This study looked at how well a single dose of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine protects against severe COVID-19 by measuring the levels of certain antibodies in vaccinated people four weeks after they received the shot. It found that higher levels of neutralizing antibodies, specifically a measurement called 50% inhibitory dilution (ID), greatly increased protection: vaccine effectiveness was 60% for low antibody levels and rose to 89% for higher levels. This is important because understanding these antibody levels can help in designing better vaccines in the future.
Who this helps: This helps patients by improving vaccine development and effectiveness against COVID-19.
Antibody effector functions are associated with protection from respiratory syncytial virus.
2022
Cell
Bartsch YC, Cizmeci D, Kang J, Zohar T, Periasamy S +10 more
Plain English This study looked at how certain types of antibodies can help protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes serious lung infections, especially in young children and older adults. The researchers found that antibodies with specific functions, particularly IgA and certain types of IgG, were linked to better protection from RSV. They also showed that modified antibodies could effectively fight the virus in lab mice.
Who this helps: This benefits patients at high risk for RSV, like young infants and the elderly, as well as doctors looking for better treatment options.
Interim Results of a Phase 1-2a Trial of Ad26.COV2.S Covid-19 Vaccine.
2021
The New England journal of medicine
Sadoff J, Le Gars M, Shukarev G, Heerwegh D, Truyers C +22 more
Plain English This study looked at a new Covid-19 vaccine called Ad26.COV2.S, testing its safety and effectiveness in healthy adults aged 18-55 and those 65 and older. They found that 90% of participants developed antibodies to the virus 29 days after the first dose, and this increased to 96% by day 57. The vaccine also caused common side effects like fatigue and headache, but these were less frequent in older adults and after the second dose, showing it is generally safe.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients looking for effective Covid-19 vaccines, especially older adults.
Immunogenicity of the Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine for COVID-19.
2021
JAMA
Stephenson KE, Le Gars M, Sadoff J, de Groot AM, Heerwegh D +39 more
Plain English This study looked at how well the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine, developed by Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, triggers immune responses in people. Researchers found that 90% of participants had binding antibodies (which help recognize the virus) just eight days after the first shot, and after two doses, all participants developed both binding and neutralizing antibodies that protect against infection. This is important because it shows the vaccine can quickly build a strong immune defense, which is necessary for controlling COVID-19.
Who this helps: This benefits patients receiving the vaccine by giving them better protection against COVID-19.
Safety and Efficacy of Single-Dose Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine against Covid-19.
2021
The New England journal of medicine
Sadoff J, Gray G, Vandebosch A, Cárdenas V, Shukarev G +26 more
Plain English This study looked at the effectiveness and safety of a single dose of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine against COVID-19 in nearly 40,000 adults. The results showed that the vaccine reduced the risk of moderate to severe COVID-19 by about 67% compared to a placebo, with 116 cases in the vaccine group versus 348 in the placebo group. This is important because it highlights that the vaccine provides significant protection, even against serious illness, which can help reduce hospitalizations and deaths.
Who this helps: This helps patients by providing an effective option for COVID-19 prevention.
Immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants in humans.
2021
Nature
Alter G, Yu J, Liu J, Chandrashekar A, Borducchi EN +26 more
Plain English This study looked at how well the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine protects against different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, specifically the original strain and several concerning variants. Researchers found that the vaccine generated fewer neutralizing antibodies against the B.1.351 variant (5 times lower) and P.1 variant (3.3 times lower) compared to the original strain, but the immune responses still showed promising strength in other areas like T cells and non-neutralizing antibodies. This matters because it helps us understand how effective the vaccine remains against emerging variants, which is critical for ongoing vaccination efforts.
Who this helps: This information benefits patients and healthcare providers in making informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccinations.
Durable Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses Following Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination for COVID-19.
2021
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences
Barouch DH, Stephenson KE, Sadoff J, Yu J, Chang A +12 more
Plain English The study looked at how long the immune system's responses last after getting the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine for COVID-19, measuring both antibodies and T cells in 20 people over eight months. Researchers found that people who received the vaccine maintained their immune responses against various COVID-19 variants, like the Delta and Alpha strains, after this time period. This is important because it shows that the vaccine provides lasting protection, which can help in controlling the pandemic.
Who this helps: This helps patients and public health officials in planning for ongoing COVID-19 vaccination strategies.
SARS-CoV-2 binding and neutralizing antibody levels after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination predict durable protection in rhesus macaques.
2021
Nature communications
Roozendaal R, Solforosi L, Stieh DJ, Serroyen J, Straetemans R +21 more
Plain English This study looked at how well a particular COVID-19 vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S, protects against the virus in rhesus macaques. Researchers found that the effectiveness of the vaccine is linked to the levels of specific antibodies in the body: higher amounts of Spike-binding and neutralizing antibodies mean better and longer-lasting protection against the virus. This is important because it can help determine how long the vaccine will provide immunity and may guide future vaccination strategies in humans.
Who this helps: This benefits patients by informing vaccine development and enhancing long-term COVID-19 protection strategies.
A plain language summary of how well the single-dose Janssen vaccine works and how safe it is.
2021
Future virology
Sadoff J, Struyf F, Douoguih M
Plain English The research studied how well the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine works and its safety. It found that the vaccine prevented about 67% of moderate to severe cases and completely stopped severe cases from needing hospitalization. Importantly, no vaccinated participants died from COVID-19, while five individuals who received a placebo did.
Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers by providing a safe and effective option for COVID-19 vaccination.
Nonhuman primate to human immunobridging to infer the protective effect of an Ebola virus vaccine candidate.
2020
NPJ vaccines
Roozendaal R, Hendriks J, van Effelterre T, Spiessens B, Dekking L +24 more
Plain English This study examined an Ebola virus vaccine called Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo to determine its potential to protect humans from the disease by comparing how well it works in monkeys. Researchers found that certain antibodies generated by the vaccine could greatly increase survival rates in monkeys exposed to the virus, indicating that these same antibody levels in humans could also offer significant protection. This is important because it helps bridge the gap in understanding how effective the vaccine might be for people, especially in areas at risk for Ebola outbreaks.
Who this helps: This benefits patients at risk of Ebola and healthcare providers working to protect vulnerable populations.