Seroconversion rates following COVID-19 vaccination among patients with cancer

Astha Thakkar, Jesus D. Gonzalez-Lugo, Niyati Goradia, Radhika Gali, Lauren C. Shapiro, Kith Pradhan, Shafia Rahman, So Yeon Kim, Brian Ko, R. Alejandro Sica, Noah Kornblum, Lizamarie Bachier-Rodriguez, Margaret McCort, Sanjay Goel, Roman Perez-Soler, Stuart Packer, Joseph Sparano, Benjamin Gartrell, Della Makower, Yitz D. GoldsteinLucia Wolgast, Amit Verma, Balazs Halmos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

252 Scopus citations

Abstract

As COVID-19 adversely affects patients with cancer, prophylactic strategies are critically needed. Using a validated antibody assay against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, we determined a high seroconversion rate (94%) in 200 patients with cancer in New York City that had received full dosing with one of the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. On comparison with solid tumors (98%), a significantly lower rate of seroconversion was observed in patients with hematologic malignancies (85%), particularly recipients following highly immunosuppressive therapies such as anti-CD20 therapies (70%) and stem cell transplantation (73%). Patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (97%) or hormonal therapies (100%) demonstrated high seroconversion post vaccination. Patients with prior COVID-19 infection demonstrated higher anti-spike IgG titers post vaccination. Relatively lower IgG titers were observed following vaccination with the adenoviral than with mRNA-based vaccines. These data demonstrate generally high immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccination in oncology patients and identify immunosuppressed cohorts that need novel vaccination or passive immunization strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1081-1090.e2
JournalCancer Cell
Volume39
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 9 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • cancer
  • hematologi malignancies
  • vaccine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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