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Vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published in the journal Nature Communications investigated the immune responses and breakthrough infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The study compared patients treated with the anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) antibody, infliximab, with those treated with vedolizumab, which targets a gut-specific anti-integrin that does not impair systemic immunity. The findings suggest that adapted vaccination schedules may be required to induce immunity in at-risk, anti-TNF-treated patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • Patients treated with infliximab had lower geometric mean anti-S RBD antibody concentrations (566.7 U/mL [6.2]) and shorter half-lives compared to those treated with vedolizumab (4555.3 U/mL [5.4]).
  • The research concluded that adapted vaccination schedules may be required to induce immunity in at-risk, anti-TNF-treated patients.
  • The study involved patients with IBD, who received either infliximab or vedolizumab, and were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 vaccine.
  • The researchers found that patients treated with infliximab were at higher risk of breakthrough infections compared to those treated with vedolizumab.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering the impact of immunosuppressive therapies on vaccine efficacy in patients with IBD.
  • The researchers suggest that further studies are needed to determine the optimal vaccination schedule for patients with IBD treated with anti-TNF agents.

Statistics:

  • Geometric mean anti-S RBD antibody concentrations:

+ Infliximab-treated patients: 566.7 U/mL [6.2]

+ Vedolizumab-treated patients: 4555.3 U/mL [5.4]

  • Half-lives of antibodies:

+ Infliximab-treated patients: shorter than those treated with vedolizumab

  • Breakthrough infections:

+ Patients treated with infliximab: higher risk compared to those treated with vedolizumab

  • Patient population:

+ 55 patients with IBD, treated with either infliximab or vedolizumab

Sources:

  • Kennedy, N. A., et al. "Antibody decay, T cell immunity and breakthrough infections following two SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with infliximab and vedolizumab." Nature Communications, vol. 13, no. 1, 2022, p. 1379, doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28392-2.
  • Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

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