alefacept + pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent

The combination of alefacept and polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine refers to a clinical study context evaluating the immune competency of patients undergoing treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis. Alefacept (Amevive) is a recombinant dimeric fusion protein consisting of the extracellular CD2-binding portion of human leukocyte function-associated antigen-3 (LFA-3) linked to the Fc portion of human IgG1. It selectively targets and depletes memory-effector T cells (CD45RO+) by binding to the CD2 receptor, thereby reducing the inflammatory response in psoriasis. The polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine is a non-conjugated vaccine containing purified capsular polysaccharides from 23 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Phase 4 study conducted by Astellas Pharma was designed to determine if the T-cell modulating effects of alefacept interfered with the B-cell mediated antibody response to the pneumococcal vaccine, ensuring that patients remained protected against bacterial infections during biologic therapy.

Brand names

AmevivePneumovax 23Pneumovax23Pneumovax-23

Other names

LFA-3/IgG1 fusion protein23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccinePPV-23PPV23PPV 23