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COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy in Cancer Patients Undergoes Treatment

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the rapid development of vaccines to combat the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak. Recent studies have focused on understanding the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in cancer patients undergoing treatment. A new study, published in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, examined the humoral immune response to the second dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in cancer patients undergoing treatment.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, involved 53 participants diagnosed with cancer. The results showed that patients under cancer treatment had significantly lower antibody responses than those without treatment at pre-second dose and 1-month post-second dose. However, the levels at 6-months post-second dose were similar between both groups. Patients under treatment had a significantly lower immune response 1-month post-second dose, with an increased immune response at 6-months post-second dose, suggesting a delayed immune response.

Further investigations are needed to understand antibody functionality post-vaccination in these individuals.

Key Takeaways:

  • COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated high immunogenicity and efficacy in reducing hospitalization, disease severity, and COVID-19-related deaths in overall healthy individuals.
  • However, cancer patients undergoing treatment may have a delayed immune response to COVID-19 vaccines, with significantly lower antibody responses at pre-second dose and 1-month post-second dose.
  • The levels of antibody responses at 6-months post-second dose were similar between patients with and without cancer treatment.
  • The study highlights the need for further investigations to understand antibody functionality post-vaccination in cancer patients undergoing treatment.
  • The study was conducted by researchers at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, with additional authors including Christine M. Dang, Nancy Roche, Katarzyna Haynesworth, Sarah A. Loftus, Benjamin J. Borski, Ziad El Bakouny, Chris Labaki, Gwo-Shou Mary Lee, Rachel Trowbridge, Sarah Strauss, Melissa E. Hughes, Nancy U. Lin, Toni K. Choueiri, and Ligia A. Pint.

Statistics:

  • 53 participants were enrolled in the study, with majority being non-Hispanic, Caucasian females.
  • Patients under cancer treatment had significantly lower antibody responses at pre-second dose (Mean Geometric Mean Titers (GMT) of 18.3) compared to those without treatment (GMT of 34.6).
  • Patients under treatment had a significantly lower immune response at 1-month post-second dose (GMT of 6.1) compared to those without treatment (GMT of 15.1).
  • However, the levels of antibody responses at 6-months post-second dose were similar between patients with and without cancer treatment (GMT of 22.5 and GMT of 24.9, respectively).

Sources:

  • Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2025;21(1):2570963
  • Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
  • Taylor & Francis Inc, 530 Walnut Street, Ste 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
  • Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States

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