Three-dose mRNA-1273 vaccination schedule: sufficient antibody response in majority of immunocompromised hematology patients
Authors: Haggenburg Sabine , Hofsink Quincy , Lissenberg-Witte Birgit I. , Broers Annoek E.C. , van Doesum Jaap A. , van Binnendijk Rob S. , Hartog Gerco den , Bhoekhan Michel S. , Haverkate Nienke J.E. , Burger Judith A. , Bouhuijs Joey H. , Smits Gaby P. , Wouters Dorine , van Leeuwen Ester M.M. , Bontkes Hetty J. , Kootstra Neeltje A. , Zweegman Sonja , Kater Arnon P. , Heemskerk Mirjam H.M. , Groen Kaz , van Meerten Tom , Mutsaers Pim G.N.J. , Beaumont Tim , van Gils Marit J. , Goorhuis Abraham , Rutten Caroline E. , Hazenberg Mette D. , Nijhof Inger S. 
Published: April 2022

Importance

In patients with hematologic malignancies, the immunogenicity of the standard 2-dose mRNA-1273 coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) vaccination schedule is often insufficient due to underlying disease and current or recent therapy.

Objective

To determine whether a 3rd mRNA-1273 vaccination raises antibody concentrations in immunocompromised hematology patients to levels obtained in healthy individuals after the standard 2-dose mRNA-1273 vaccination schedule.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Four academic hospitals in the Netherlands.

Participants

584 evaluable immunocompromised hematology patients, all grouped in predefined cohorts spanning the spectrum of hematologic malignancies.

Exposure

One additional vaccination with mRNA-1273 5 months after completion of the standard 2-dose mRNA-1273 vaccination schedule.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Serum IgG antibodies to spike subunit 1 (S1) antigens prior to and 4 weeks after each vaccination, and pseudovirus neutralization of wildtype, delta and omicron variants in a subgroup of patients.

Results

In immunocompromised hematology patients, a 3rd mRNA-1273 vaccination led to median S1 IgG concentrations comparable to concentrations obtained by healthy individuals after the 2-dose mRNA-1273 schedule. The rise in S1 IgG concentration after the 3rd vaccination was most pronounced in patients with a recovering immune system, but potent responses were also observed in patients with persistent immunodeficiencies. Specifically, patients with myeloid malignancies or multiple myeloma, and recipients of autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) reached median S1 IgG concentrations similar to those obtained by healthy individuals after a 2-dose schedule. Patients on or shortly after rituximab therapy, CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy recipients, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients on ibrutinib were less or unresponsive to the 3rd vaccination. In the 27 patients who received cell therapy between the 2nd and 3rd vaccination, S1 antibodies were preserved, but a 3rd mRNA-1273 vaccination did not significantly enhance S1 IgG concentrations except for multiple myeloma patients receiving autologous HCT. A 3rd vaccination significantly improved neutralization capacity per antibody.

Conclusions and Relevance

The primary schedule for immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies should be supplemented with a delayed 3rd vaccination. B cell lymphoma patients and allogeneic HCT recipients need to be revaccinated after treatment or transplantation.

Trial Registration

EudraCT 2021-001072-41

Key points

Question

Can a 3rd mRNA-1273 vaccination improve COVID-19 antibody concentrations in immunocompromised hematology patients to levels similar to healthy adults after the standard 2-dose mRNA-1273 schedule?

Findings

In this prospective observational cohort study that included 584 immunocompromised hematology patients, a 3rd mRNA-1273 vaccination significantly improved SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations to levels not significantly different from those obtained by healthy individuals after the standard 2-dose mRNA-1273 vaccination schedule. Pseudovirus neutralization capacity per antibody of wild type virus and variants of concern also significantly improved.

Meaning

The primary COVID-19 vaccination schedule for immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies should be supplemented with a delayed 3rd vaccination.