Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA Vaccines in Patients with Cancer

Addeo, Alfredo; Shah, Pankil K.; Bordry, Natacha; Hudson, Robert D.; Albracht, Brenna; Di Marco, Mariagrazia; Kaklamani, Virginia; Dietrich, Pierre-Yves; Taylor, Barbara S.; Simand, Pierre-Francois; Patel, Darpan; Wang, Jing; Labidi-galy, Intidhar; Fertani, Sarah; Leach, Robin J.; Sandoval, Jose; Mesa, Ruben; Lathrop, Kate; Mach, Nicolas; Shah, Dimpy P.

Patients with cancer experience higher burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection, disease severity, complications, and mortality, than the general population. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines are highly effective in the general population; however, few data are available on their efficacy in patients with cancer. Using a prospective cohort, we assessed the seroconversion rates and anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody titers following the 1st and 2nd dose of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with cancer in U.S. and Europe from January to April 2021. Among 131 patients, most (94%) achieved seroconversion after receipt of 2 vaccine doses. Seroconversion rates and antibody titers in patients with hematological malignancy were significantly lower than those with solid tumors. None of the patients with history of anti-CD-20 antibody in the 6 months prior to vaccination developed antibody response. Antibody titers were highest for clinical surveillance or endocrine therapy groups and lowest for cytotoxic chemotherapy or monoclonal antibody group.