Immunocompromised Patients Show Diminished Response to COVID-19 Vaccines

Strategic Insights -

Immunocompromised patients are particularly susceptible to severe complications from COVID-19, making effective vaccination a critical concern. Research has shown that two mRNA vaccines, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, have excellent efficacy in healthy adults but diminished activity in immunocompromised individuals. A recent study measured the antibody response, avidity, and neutralizing activity in COVID-19 vaccinated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The findings indicate that while anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were present in a significant proportion of AML and MDS patients, their levels were lower than in healthy controls.

Key Takeaways:

  • Immunocompromised patients with AML and MDS had lower median antibody levels for SARS-CoV-2 compared to healthy controls (p=0.001 and p=0.04, respectively).
  • SARS-CoV-2 antibody avidity and neutralizing antibody activity were significantly lower in AML patients compared to controls (p=0.028 and p=0.002, respectively).
  • Patients who received mRNA-1273 vaccination showed a trend toward higher anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and greater antibody avidity compared to those who received BNT162b2.
  • A significant proportion of AML and MDS patients developed anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, with 89% and 88% of patients testing positive, respectively.
  • There was a difference in antibody avidity between patients who received mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2, with mRNA-1273 showing higher avidity (p=0.01).
  • The study highlights the need for further research on vaccine efficacy in immunocompromised populations and the development of more effective vaccines.
  • The study measured the anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 antibody response in 60 patients with AML and 64 patients with MDS.
  • The researchers compared the antibody response in these patients to healthy controls.
  • The study was published on a preprint server and has not been peer-reviewed.

Statistics:

  • 89% of AML patients and 88% of MDS patients had anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
  • Median antibody levels for SARS-CoV-2 were lower in AML and MDS patients compared to healthy controls (p=0.001 and p=0.04, respectively).
  • SARS-CoV-2 antibody avidity was significantly lower in AML patients compared to controls (p=0.028).
  • Neutralizing antibody activity was significantly lower in AML patients compared to controls (p=0.002).

Sources:

  • medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.26.22269932v1