Response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in multiple myeloma is conserved but impaired compared to controls

Bitoun, Samuel; Henry, Julien; Vauloup-Fellous, Christelle; Dib, Nicolas; Belkhir, Rakiba; Mouna, Lina; Joly, Candie; Desjardins, Delphine; Bitu, Marie; Le Grand, Roger; Seror, Raphaèle; Roque Afonso, Anne-Marie; Mariette, Xavier

Patients with multiple myeloma are at high risk of severe forms of COVID-19. Despite data showing diminished response to vaccine, the era of highly efficient mRNA vaccine might be a gamechanger. We sought to examine response to mRNA vaccine between healthy controls (n = 28) and multiple myeloma (MM) patients (n = 27). Response was analyzed 1 month after the second dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine. Multiple myeloma patients showed diminished levels of Anti-Spike IgG levels compared to controls, but with a high proportion of patients achieving a humoral response (89% vs. 97% in controls). Neutralizing antibodies were present in 74% of patients versus 96% of controls. Patients under current daratumumab treatment had neutralizing activity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Multiple myeloma patients show diminished response to SARS-COV-2 vaccine but with still high response rate. The main potential risk factor of non-response to COVID-19 vaccine was uncontrolled disease under treatment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-021-01183-2.