Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer Center

Background: Cancer patients face a greater risk of complications and death after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were suggested to provide additional protection. This study aimed to assess how cancer patients’ immune systems respond to the booster shots and ca...

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Main Authors: Júlio Oliveira, Pedro Cruz, Tânia R. Dias, Mário Sousa-Pimenta, Beatriz Almeida, Bruno Soares, Hugo Sousa, Rui Costa, Carlos Ochoa, Francisca Dias, Rui Medeiros
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/11/1207
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author Júlio Oliveira
Pedro Cruz
Tânia R. Dias
Mário Sousa-Pimenta
Beatriz Almeida
Bruno Soares
Hugo Sousa
Rui Costa
Carlos Ochoa
Francisca Dias
Rui Medeiros
author_facet Júlio Oliveira
Pedro Cruz
Tânia R. Dias
Mário Sousa-Pimenta
Beatriz Almeida
Bruno Soares
Hugo Sousa
Rui Costa
Carlos Ochoa
Francisca Dias
Rui Medeiros
author_sort Júlio Oliveira
collection DOAJ
description Background: Cancer patients face a greater risk of complications and death after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were suggested to provide additional protection. This study aimed to assess how cancer patients’ immune systems respond to the booster shots and categorize their responses. Methods: We analyzed 735 samples from 422 individuals, including patients followed at the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto). Three cohorts were recruited, and blood samples were collected 3- and 6-months post-booster dose: cohort 1 cancer patients (also collected before the booster); cohort 2 cancer patients; and cohort 3 (healthy individuals). Humoral immune response was evaluated by analyzing IgG levels against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein. IgG levels against the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid(N) protein was also analyzed in order to address previous contact with the virus. Results: Among Cohort 1 patients with solid tumors, when compared to pre-boost, IgG S levels increased 3 months after the boost and remained high after 6 months. Patients with hematologic tumors demonstrated lower IgG S levels at both timepoints. Comparing the IgG S levels among hematological tumors, solid tumors, and healthy individuals in both timepoints we observed that the healthy individuals had the strongest IgG S response, followed by the solid, and, lastly, the hematologic tumors. Solid tumor patients undergoing chemotherapy had reduced IgG S levels, especially those on high febrile neutropenia risk regimens. Conclusions: In conclusion, cancer patients have a weaker immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, especially those with hematological cancers. Chemotherapy and febrile neutropenia risk further reduce booster effectiveness. Further research is needed to optimize vaccine timing for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
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spelling doaj-art-3392c77a62e14157b9832a742b54e68b2024-11-26T18:24:26ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2024-10-011211120710.3390/vaccines12111207Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer CenterJúlio Oliveira0Pedro Cruz1Tânia R. Dias2Mário Sousa-Pimenta3Beatriz Almeida4Bruno Soares5Hugo Sousa6Rui Costa7Carlos Ochoa8Francisca Dias9Rui Medeiros10Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalDepartment of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalAbel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-513 Porto, PortugalDepartment of Oncohematology, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalMolecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) & RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalDepartment of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalMolecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) & RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalDepartment of Occupational Health, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalDepartment of Occupational Health, Portuguese Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalMolecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) & RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalAbel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-513 Porto, PortugalBackground: Cancer patients face a greater risk of complications and death after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were suggested to provide additional protection. This study aimed to assess how cancer patients’ immune systems respond to the booster shots and categorize their responses. Methods: We analyzed 735 samples from 422 individuals, including patients followed at the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto). Three cohorts were recruited, and blood samples were collected 3- and 6-months post-booster dose: cohort 1 cancer patients (also collected before the booster); cohort 2 cancer patients; and cohort 3 (healthy individuals). Humoral immune response was evaluated by analyzing IgG levels against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein. IgG levels against the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid(N) protein was also analyzed in order to address previous contact with the virus. Results: Among Cohort 1 patients with solid tumors, when compared to pre-boost, IgG S levels increased 3 months after the boost and remained high after 6 months. Patients with hematologic tumors demonstrated lower IgG S levels at both timepoints. Comparing the IgG S levels among hematological tumors, solid tumors, and healthy individuals in both timepoints we observed that the healthy individuals had the strongest IgG S response, followed by the solid, and, lastly, the hematologic tumors. Solid tumor patients undergoing chemotherapy had reduced IgG S levels, especially those on high febrile neutropenia risk regimens. Conclusions: In conclusion, cancer patients have a weaker immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, especially those with hematological cancers. Chemotherapy and febrile neutropenia risk further reduce booster effectiveness. Further research is needed to optimize vaccine timing for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/11/1207SARS-CoV-2COVID-19precision medicinevaccineshumoral immunity
spellingShingle Júlio Oliveira
Pedro Cruz
Tânia R. Dias
Mário Sousa-Pimenta
Beatriz Almeida
Bruno Soares
Hugo Sousa
Rui Costa
Carlos Ochoa
Francisca Dias
Rui Medeiros
Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer Center
Vaccines
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
precision medicine
vaccines
humoral immunity
title Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer Center
title_full Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer Center
title_fullStr Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer Center
title_full_unstemmed Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer Center
title_short Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Boost in Cancer Patients: A Case Series from a Southern European Cancer Center
title_sort humoral response to sars cov 2 vaccine boost in cancer patients a case series from a southern european cancer center
topic SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
precision medicine
vaccines
humoral immunity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/11/1207
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