Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Vaccine in Orthotopic Liver Transplant Candidates

Open to people ages 18 years and up

1. Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent;
2. Negative for antibody to Cytomegalovirus (CMV) as assessed in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratory within 6 months of enrollment, and no history of prior positive CMV serology (IgG antibody)
3. Negative screening test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and no clinical suspicion of HIV infection
4. Listed for a first living or deceased donor liver transplant
5. Anticipated to receive a liver transplant within 1-12 months
6. For individuals of reproductive potential, a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to enrollment. NOTE: Individuals of reproductive potential are defined as individuals who have reached menarche and who have not been post-menopausal for at least 12 consecutive months with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) >=40 IU/mL or 24 consecutive months if an FSH is not available, i.e., who have had menses within the preceding 24 months, and have not undergone a sterilization procedure (e.g., hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or salpingectomy)
7. Participants who are able to impregnate or become pregnant (i.e., of reproductive potential) and are participating in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy must agree to practice contraception/birth control (hormonal or barrier method) or agree to not participate in a conception process (e.g., active attempt to become pregnant or to impregnate, sperm donation, in vitro fertilization) for at least 1 month following the last vaccine/placebo dose. For acceptable contraception methods that are more than 80 percent effective, see Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women's Health (http://www.fda.gov/birthcontrol)
8. In the absence of contraindications, must have received adult vaccinations or have documented immunity as outlined in current National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (NIAID DAIT) Guidance for Patients in Transplant Trials

9. The most recent platelet count within 3 months prior to enrollment by any laboratory with CLIA certification or equivalent of >= 20,000 cells/mm³ prior to enrollment, and in the opinion of the investigator, has not decreased < 20,000 cells/mm³ at time of IP administration.

   Eligibility criteria required: Dose 2:

10. Most recent platelet count >= 20,000 cells/mm³ and in the opinion of the investigator, has not decreased < 20,000 cells/mm³ since last result.
11. For women of reproductive potential as defined previously, a negative serum or urine pregnancy test (performed within 72 hours)

1. Women who are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
2. Prior Cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccination
3. Receipt of immunoglobulin or CMV-specific immunoglobulin within the last 3 months (this includes coronavirus disease (COVID) convalescent plasma)
4. Currently enrolled in another interventional study that, in the investigator's opinion, could affect the evaluation of safety and/or vaccine effect outcomes
5. Prior (ever) receipt of a stem cell transplant (Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC), marrow, cord blood, etc.)
6. Receipt of immunosuppression:
   1. Systemic Chemotherapy or immunotherapy for cancer in the last 3 months (localized therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] such as chemoembolization, Y-90 are not considered "systemic chemotherapy" and are not excluded)
   2. Systemic immunosuppressive agents (e.g. cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, mycophenolate, azathioprine, calcineurin inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, TNF-alpha inhibitors) and/or combination immunosuppressive drugs for any autoimmune or other conditions in the last 3 months, except corticosteroids as below
   3. Averaged daily corticosteroid therapy at a dose >=20 mg of prednisone equivalent in the last 28 days prior to randomization
   4. Receipt of T- or B-cell depleting agents (e.g., ATG, Alemtuzumab, Rituximab) within the last 6-months prior to randomization
7. Transplant status 1A or in the opinion of the investigator is likely to receive a transplant within the next 2 months
8. At the time of randomization, either listed for, or, in the opinion of the investigator, likely to receive any non-liver organ concurrent with liver transplant

9. At the time of randomization listed for or, in the opinion of the investigator, likely to receive any non- liver organ concurrent with liver transplant

   10. Receipt of or planned administration of:

   1. Live, attenuated vaccine within 14 days of study agent
   2. Subunit or inactivated vaccine within 14 days of study agent
      1. Known allergy to any component of the study agent
      2. Past or current medical problems or findings from physical examination or laboratory testing that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose additional risks from participation in the study, may interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study requirements or that may impact the quality or interpretation of the data obtained from the study

      Exclusion criteria required: Dose 2:

10. Anaphylaxis or other severe reaction (Grade 4) considered definitely or probably attributable to dose 1
11. Receipt of liver transplant prior to dose 2
12. The subject must not have any severe acute illness or other factor, that, in the opinion of the investigator, requires postponement of dose 2 because of safety concerns. The participant can be re-evaluated for eligibility throughout the window of eligibility for the dose 2, once the illness or other factor has improved or resolved