In a nutshell
The study aimed to investigate antibody responses in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) after first and second Covid-19 vaccinations.
This study concluded that antibody responses of these patients are lower than that of healthy people.
Some background
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with immunosuppression (a reduced ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases). Therefore, patients are at increased clinical risk following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Covid-19 vaccines offer potential protection against severe infection. There is little information known about the antibody response following the first or second vaccination, particularly in patients with CLL. Antibody responses are a major form of defense against microbes. It is important to evaluate the antibody responses of patients with CLL after available Covid-19 vaccines in order to optimize their care.
Methods & findings
This study involved 299 patients with CLL who received a first and/or second Covid-19 vaccination. 154 patients received BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (BioNTech, Pfizer vaccine). 145 patients received ChAdOx1 (Oxford, AstraZeneca vaccine). 286 (95%) patients underwent extended interval vaccination (10-12 weeks between the first and second vaccination). The spike-specific antibody responses following first and/or second Covid-19 vaccinations were studied. Responses to vaccinations were compared to those of 93 matched healthy donors.
Spike-specific antibody responses were detected in 34% of CLL patients after one vaccine compared to 94% in healthy donors. After the second vaccination, antibody responses increased to 75% in the CLL group compared to 100% in healthy donors.
The average quantities of antibodies were 74 times lower in patients with CLL compared to the healthy donors after 2 vaccinations.
Current treatment with BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib (Imbruvica) or IgA deficiency were associated with a lower likelihood to generate an antibody response after the second vaccine.
The bottom line
This study concluded that antibody responses of patients with CLL after Covid-19 vaccines are lower than that of healthy people. The authors suggested a need to optimize vaccination strategy in patients with CLL.
What’s next?
Consult your physician about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
Published By :
Blood cancer journal
Date :
Jul 30, 2021
