COVID-19 Immunity in Children with Cancer and Hematological Diseases

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden have conducted a study to understand the protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in children with cancer or hematological diseases. The study, published in Frontiers in Immunology, aimed to characterize the immune response in these patients and investigate how their compromised immune systems affect their ability to mount a broad antibody response. The findings suggest that most pediatric oncological and hematological patients can mount a broad antibody response upon SARS-CoV-2 natural infection or vaccination, although there is a variability in their responses influenced by increasing age.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 135 patients with cancer or hematological diseases and 14 healthy siblings, with blood samples collected for serological analysis and cell-based assays.
  • The results showed that 78 patients seroconverted in response to SARS-CoV-2, with neither immunosuppression nor cancer diagnosis significantly affecting seroconversion.
  • SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA levels correlated positively with increasing age, and IgA seroconversion was significantly associated with the presence of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs).
  • Antigen-specific memory B-cell (MBC) responses against both spike and receptor-binding domain (RBD) were elevated in older children, while children on immunosuppression had significantly lower RBD IgG-secreting cells.
  • The study found that most pediatric oncological and hematological patients can mount a broad antibody response upon SARS-CoV-2 natural infection or vaccination, although there is a variability in their responses influenced by increasing age.
  • Children with immunosuppression were found to be at risk for less effective B-cell responses upon viral infection.

Statistics:

  • 135 patients with cancer or hematological diseases were included in the study.
  • 14 healthy siblings were included as controls.
  • 78 out of 135 patients (57.8%) seroconverted in response to SARS-CoV-2.
  • SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were significantly higher in older children (p < 0.01).
  • IgA seroconversion was significantly associated with the presence of nAbs (p < 0.05).
  • Antigen-specific MBC responses against spike and RBD were elevated in older children (p < 0.01).
  • Children on immunosuppression had significantly lower RBD IgG-secreting cells (p < 0.05).

Sources:

  • The study was published in Frontiers in Immunology.
  • Frontiers in Immunology can be contacted at: Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.
  • Additional information may be obtained by contacting Emil Sundberg, Dept. of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • The study was funded by Barncancerfonden.
  • Keywords for this news article include: Antibodies, Viral, Sweden, Europe, Cancer, Uppsala, COVID-19, Oncology, Virology, Immunology, Pediatrics, SARS-CoV-2, RNA Viruses, Blood Proteins, Immunoglobulins, Immunosuppression, Health and Medicine, Hematologic Diseases and Conditions, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.