Journal-based CME Course: SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response to 2 or 3 Doses of the BNT162b2 Vaccine in Patients Treated With Anticancer Agents

Activity ID

12958

Expires

January 14, 2025

Format Type

Journal-based

CME Credit

1

Fee

$30

CME Provider: JAMA Oncology

Description of CME Course

Importance  Patients with solid cancer are more susceptible to develop SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe complications; the immunogenicity in patients treated with anticancer agents remains unknown.

Objective  To assess the immune humoral response to 2 or 3 doses of the BNT162b2 (BioNTech; Pfizer) vaccine in patients treated with anticancer agents.

Design, Setting, and Participants  A prospective observational cohort study was conducted between February 1 and May 31, 2021. Adults treated with anticancer agents who received 2 or 3 doses of vaccine were included; of these, individuals with a weak humoral response 1 month after the second dose received a third injection.

Interventions  Quantitative serologic testing of antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted before vaccination and during follow-up.

Main Outcomes and Measures  Humoral response was evaluated with a threshold of anti–SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody levels at 1000 arbitrary units (AU)/mL to neutralize less-sensitive COVID-19 variants.

Results  Among 163 patients (median [range] age, 66 [27-89] years, 86 men [53%]) with solid tumors who received 2 or 3 doses of vaccine, 122 individuals (75%) were treated with chemotherapy, 15 with immunotherapy (9%), and 26 with targeted therapies (16%). The proportions of patients with an anti-S immunoglobulin G titer greater than 1000 AU/mL were 15% (22 of 145) at the time of the second vaccination and 65% (92 of 142) 28 days after the second vaccination. Humoral response decreased 3 months after the second dose. Treatment type was associated with humoral response; in particular, time between vaccine and chemotherapy did not interfere with the humoral response. Among 36 patients receiving a third dose of vaccine, a serologic response greater than 1000 AU/mL occurred in 27 individuals (75%).

Conclusions and Relevance  The results of this cohort study appear to support the use of a third vaccine dose among patients with active cancer treatment for solid tumors.

Disclaimers

1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.

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