Bead-based multiplexing allowed scientists to measure immune response for HIV, HSV, HPV, and pneumococcus vaccines
With more than 100,000 scientific publications citing xMAP® Technology, we are continually impressed by how customers apply bead-based multiplexing to their research needs. Over the years, xMAP Technology has become increasingly important in the clinical research area, bringing the advantages of multiplex immunoassays to the realm of pharmaceutical development and clinical trials.
To celebrate these achievements, we’re bringing back the journal club series, where we’ll feature noteworthy papers centered on a defined application area.
Today, we’re highlighting recent clinical trials in which xMAP-based assays were used to evaluate vaccines for a variety of infectious diseases.
HIV
Nature Communications, November 2025
Situation: While great strides have been made in treatment for and prevention of HIV, more than 1 million infections still occur each year. The holy grail is a protective vaccine. In this single-center, randomized phase 1 clinical trial, researchers from Europe and the US assessed the safety and immunogenicity of a protein vaccine candidate in HIV-negative adults. They also reviewed the data carefully to understand any sex-based differences in vaccine response.
What they learned: Reiss et al. reported enrolling 24 participants, 23 of whom completed the full course of three doses. They demonstrated that the vaccine candidate was safe for participants. In addition, they found that nearly all participants who completed the three-dose regimen mounted a response, with detectable serum levels for key IgG subtypes. In most cases, each booster shot led to an increased magnitude of response. While there were sex-specific differences in immune response, the team determined that they were not statistically significant.
How xMAP Technology made a difference: For this trial, immune responses were measured with custom xMAP assays designed to detect four antigen-specific IgG subtypes. Results were read on the MAGPIX® System.
Key takeaway: Reiss et. al reported that “the vaccine elicits robust strain-specific binding and neutralising antibody responses in nearly all vaccinees.”
HSV
Vaccine, October 2025
Situation: Types 1 and 2 of the herpes simplex virus are best known for causing genital herpes, in addition to other medically important syndromes. Despite its widespread transmission and health impact, there is no vaccine for this virus. Researchers at the University of Washington and other institutions conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled phase I/IIa trial using two candidate vaccines, which were given in two doses independently or in combination using various arms of the trial.
What they learned: After enrolling 24 participants with recurrent HSV-2 genital herpes in their first-in-human study, Laing et al. reported that both vaccines were safe and well-tolerated. However, for the 17 participants who completed the study, they found all had immune responses to both vaccine doses, with more robust responses after the second shot.
How xMAP Technology made a difference: For this safety and immunogenicity trial, researchers measured immune response across varying dosages of the vaccines. They used one xMAP-based assay to quantify HSV-2 serum antibodies and a separate assay for separate proteins in the vaccines, as well as a tetanus toxoid antigen. The approach allowed them to measure plasma binding IgG titers to each protein.
Key takeaway: The team reported that one of the vaccines, known as G103, or a combination of both vaccines, triggered a strong immune response. “Our report summarizes the safety and immunogenicity of two dosages of G103 protein subunit vaccines adjuvanted with GLA-SE, with and without HSV529, in persons with a history of genital herpes,” they wrote.
HPV
Clinical Infectious Diseases, August 2025
Situation: Human papillomavirus can lead to anal squamous cell carcinoma, a type of cancer that is more common among men who have sex with men (MSM) who have HIV. While HPV vaccination is recommended for this group, there is little data about immunogenicity of the nonavalent HPV vaccine for this community. To address that issue, researchers conducted a phase 4 clinical trial to assess immunogenicity, safety, and other elements related to response to this vaccine specifically in MSM with HIV.
What they learned: The trial enrolled 158 participants, age 16 to 35; 138 completed the study. They received three doses of the HPV vaccine and were followed for nearly a year and a half following the final dose. No severe adverse events were reported. Ron et al. found that participants showed strong immune response to the vaccine.
How xMAP Technology made a difference: Researchers used a standard HPV xMAP assay on plasma samples to measure antibodies against nine different HPV types. Immune response was checked at baseline, one month after the final vaccine dose, and again at week 96.
Key takeaway: The nonavalent HPV vaccine “demonstrated robust immunogenicity and encouraging viral clearance rates in MSM with HIV up to 35 years,” the team reported. “These findings support extending vaccination beyond 26 years in this high-risk group.”
Pneumococcus
A randomized trial of simultaneous versus sequential pneumococcal vaccination in elderly
Clinical Microbiology and Infection, December 2025
Situation: Older adults can be quite vulnerable to pneumonia, sepsis, and other conditions caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae pathogen. Unlike HIV and HSV, however, there are existing pneumococcal vaccines — several of them, in fact. In this study, researchers conducted a clinical trial to learn whether simultaneous vaccination using a polysaccharide vaccine spanning 23 distinct serotypes together with a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine could prevent long-term depletion of key B cells.
What they learned: The single-center randomized trial included nonvaccinated adults age 60 or older; participants received one of three options: simultaneous vaccines, sequential vaccines, or a single vaccination with the polysaccharide vaccine. The trial enrolled 123 participants. After following participants for as long as two years, analysis showed that while all approaches were safe, there was no significant difference in memory B cell levels.
How xMAP Technology made a difference: The team used xMAP-based assays to measure concentrations of pneumococcal IgG for 12 serotypes that were common to both vaccines.
Key takeaway: Bahrs et al. concluded: “Simultaneous vaccination did not elicit higher memory B cell responses compared to sequential or single vaccination.”
We hope you enjoyed this first post in our journal club series. Stay tuned for more!
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