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Distinct Antibody Response Trajectories in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study published in the journal Vaccine has highlighted the need for personalized vaccination strategies to optimize protection in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs). Researchers from the Graduate School of Medicine identified distinct antibody response trajectories in patients with AIRDs, including a subgroup with persistently low humoral immune responses despite repeated vaccinations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 293 patients with AIRDs who received SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations between February 1 and December 6, 2021.
  • Three response trajectories were identified via group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM): low responders (4.4%), middle responders (41.6%), and high responders (54.0%).
  • Abatacept use was the strongest predictor of a low response (odds ratio 11.55, 95% confidence interval 2.27-58.82, p = 0.0032) but was also associated with a middle response (3.82, 1.18-12.29, p = 0.025).
  • A middle response was linked to older age, mycophenolate mofetil use, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis, and rheumatoid arthritis, while systemic lupus erythematosus was inversely associated.
  • Low responders exhibited elevated inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 and B-cell activating factor.
  • The study highlights the need for personalized vaccination strategies that consider individual clinical and immunological factors to optimize protection in patients with AIRDs.

Statistics:

  • 293 patients with AIRDs were included in the study.
  • 13 patients (4.4%) were classified as low responders.
  • 122 patients (41.6%) were classified as middle responders.
  • 158 patients (54.0%) were classified as high responders.
  • Abatacept use was associated with a low response (odds ratio 11.55, 95% confidence interval 2.27-58.82, p = 0.0032).
  • A middle response was linked to:

+ Older age (2.31, 1.38-3.85, p = 0.0014)

+ Mycophenolate mofetil use (3.03, 1.02-8.97, p = 0.045)

+ Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis (3.26, 1.29-8.19, p = 0.012)

+ Rheumatoid arthritis (1.62, 1.02-8.97, p = 0.048)

+ Systemic lupus erythematosus (0.49, 0.26-0.95, p = 0.035)

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Study Findings Have Been Reported by Researchers at Graduate School of Medicine (Distinct trajectories of humoral immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: A group-based ...). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. November 2, 2025; p 100.
  • Distinct trajectories of humoral immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: A group-based trajectory analysis. Vaccine, 2025:127771.

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