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PubMed: 39591110 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12111207
Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer Center.
Vaccines (Basel) 12(11)
Authors: Júlio Oliveira, Pedro Cruz, Tânia R Dias, Mário Sousa-Pimenta, Beatriz Almeida, Bruno Soares, Hugo Sousa, Rui Costa, Carlos Ochoa, Francisca Dias, Rui Medeiros
Affiliations
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Clinical Research Unit, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal.
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) & RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Oncohematology, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer Northern Branch (LPCC-NRN), 4200-172 Porto, Portugal.
- Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Pathology Department, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Occupational Health, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Research Innovation and Development Institute (FP-I3ID), Faculty of Health Sciences of Fernando Pessoa University (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cancer patients face a greater risk of complications and death after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were suggested to provide additional protection. This study aimed to assess how cancer patients' immune systems respond to the booster shots and categorize their responses.
METHODS
We analyzed 735 samples from 422 individuals, including patients followed at the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto). Three cohorts were recruited, and blood samples were collected 3- and 6-months post-booster dose: cohort 1 cancer patients (also collected before the booster); cohort 2 cancer patients; and cohort 3 (healthy individuals). Humoral immune response was evaluated by analyzing IgG levels against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein. IgG levels against the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid(N) protein was also analyzed in order to address previous contact with the virus.
RESULTS
Among Cohort 1 patients with solid tumors, when compared to pre-boost, IgG S levels increased 3 months after the boost and remained high after 6 months. Patients with hematologic tumors demonstrated lower IgG S levels at both timepoints. Comparing the IgG S levels among hematological tumors, solid tumors, and healthy individuals in both timepoints we observed that the healthy individuals had the strongest IgG S response, followed by the solid, and, lastly, the hematologic tumors. Solid tumor patients undergoing chemotherapy had reduced IgG S levels, especially those on high febrile neutropenia risk regimens.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, cancer patients have a weaker immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, especially those with hematological cancers. Chemotherapy and febrile neutropenia risk further reduce booster effectiveness. Further research is needed to optimize vaccine timing for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
MeSH
Immunity, Humoral, Febrile Neutropenia, Sars-Cov-2, Vaccines, Covid-19 Vaccines, Neutropenia, Neoplasms, Drug Therapy, Viruses, Immunity, Precision Medicine, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus, Chemotherapy