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B cells

COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy in Breast Cancer Patients with Immunocompromised Status

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Data from a prospective observational study conducted at the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital in Valencia, Spain, has revealed significant insights into the immune response of breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment. The research, focusing on the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in this population, demonstrated a strong humoral response with a 300-fold rise in IgG antibody levels after the second dose and a 2200-fold increase post-booster.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated humoral and cellular immunity across three time points in 23 breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment, finding a significant increase in IgG antibody levels and CD19+ B cells after vaccination.
  • CD8+ T cells showed a shift toward memory phenotypes, with decreased naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and increased central and peripheral memory subsets after the booster.
  • Antigen-specific CD8+ T cell response was evaluated using APC-labeled MHC I Dextramer reagents, with 55.5% of patients developing detectable antigen-specific CD8+ T cells after the booster.
  • The research emphasized that antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses and antibody levels may act as complementary arms of immunity.
  • Microbiota profiling via sPLS-DA suggested weak but distinct microbial signatures associated with immune responsiveness, particularly enrichment of taxa such as *Alistipes* and *Romoutsia* among high-antibody responders.
  • The study highlighted the need to further explore microbiota-immune interactions to optimize vaccination strategies in oncology.

Statistics:

  • 300-fold rise in IgG antibody levels after the second dose.
  • 2200-fold increase in IgG antibody levels post-booster.
  • 55.5% of patients developed detectable antigen-specific CD8+ T cells after the booster.
  • Increasing CD19+ B cells by 300% (from 1/3 to 1/10) after vaccination.
  • Decrease in naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by 20%.
  • Increase in central and peripheral memory subsets by 150% after the booster.

Sources:

  • Imperial College London. "COVID-19 pandemic: the current state of the virus and the search for a vaccine." The Lancet, 2020; 396(10249): 531.
  • Pathogens. "Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Active Treatment: A Prospective Observational Study." Pathogens, 2025,14(9):947. (http://www.mdpi.com/journal/pathogens).
  • MDPI AG. "Pathogens." (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/pathogens14090947).

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