Seroconversion rates following COVID-19 vaccination among patients with cancer
Astha Thakkar, Jesus D Gonzalez-Lugo, Niyati Goradia, Radhika Gali, Lauren C Shapiro, Kith Pradhan, Shafia Rahman, So Yeon Kim, Brian Ko, R Alejandro Sica, Noah Kornblum, Lizamarie Bachier-Rodriguez, Margaret McCort, Sanjay Goel, Roman Perez-Soler, Stuart Packer, Joseph Sparano, Benjamin Gartrell, Della Makower, Yitz D Goldstein, Lucia Wolgast, Amit Verma, Balazs Halmos, Astha Thakkar, Jesus D Gonzalez-Lugo, Niyati Goradia, Radhika Gali, Lauren C Shapiro, Kith Pradhan, Shafia Rahman, So Yeon Kim, Brian Ko, R Alejandro Sica, Noah Kornblum, Lizamarie Bachier-Rodriguez, Margaret McCort, Sanjay Goel, Roman Perez-Soler, Stuart Packer, Joseph Sparano, Benjamin Gartrell, Della Makower, Yitz D Goldstein, Lucia Wolgast, Amit Verma, Balazs Halmos
Abstract
As COVID-19 adversely affects patients with cancer, prophylactic strategies are critically needed. Using a validated antibody assay against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, we determined a high seroconversion rate (94%) in 200 patients with cancer in New York City that had received full dosing with one of the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. On comparison with solid tumors (98%), a significantly lower rate of seroconversion was observed in patients with hematologic malignancies (85%), particularly recipients following highly immunosuppressive therapies such as anti-CD20 therapies (70%) and stem cell transplantation (73%). Patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (97%) or hormonal therapies (100%) demonstrated high seroconversion post vaccination. Patients with prior COVID-19 infection demonstrated higher anti-spike IgG titers post vaccination. Relatively lower IgG titers were observed following vaccination with the adenoviral than with mRNA-based vaccines. These data demonstrate generally high immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccination in oncology patients and identify immunosuppressed cohorts that need novel vaccination or passive immunization strategies.
Keywords: COVID-19; cancer; hematologi malignancies; vaccine.
Conflict of interest statement
Declaration of interests A.V. has received research funding from GlaxoSmithKline, BMS, Janssen, Incyte, MedPacto, Celgene, Novartis, Curis, Prelude, and Eli Lilly and Company, has received compensation as a scientific advisor to Novartis, Stelexis Therapeutics, Acceleron Pharma, and Celgene, and has equity ownership in Stelexis Therapeutics. All other authors declare no competing interests.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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